Denver Broncos – Team Needs OL, CB, WR, LB
1(31) – CB Bradley Roby Ohio State
2(56) – WR Cody Latimer Indiana
3(95) – OT Michael Schofield Michigan
5(156) – OLB Lamin Barrow LSU
6(207) – C Matthew Paradis Boise State
7(242) – OLB Corey Nelson Oklahoma
What we like – Roby is a boom or bust type pick who will probably be coached up in Denver. Latimer falls into the same category. Both players have the size and athleticism you look for. Both players should be put into positions where it is easy for them to succeed on such a talented team. The Broncos also made a couple solid picks along the O-Line. Schofield and Paradis should both provide much needed depth. Lamin Barrow should be a nice fit and could be a late round sleeper.
What we don’t like – Latimer was a bit of a reach in Round 2, we had a few WR’s rated ahead of him there. If the team doesn’t hit on Roby and Latimer there is a good chance Bronco fans will look back at this draft as a total bust.
Overall – It was a fairly uneventful draft for a team that didn’t have many holes to fill. It was smart of the Broncos to take players with high upside. It won’t be a disaster if they miss on Roby and Latimer. They may have also found a few guys to help provide depth at their weaker positions.
Grade B
Kansas City Chiefs – Team Needs WR, OL, DB, TE
1(23) – DE Dee Ford Auburn
3(87) – CB Phillip Gaines Rice
4(124) - De’Anthony Thomas Oregon
5(163) – QB Aaron Murray Georgia
6(193) – OG Zach Fulton Tennesse
6(200) – OT Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff McGill
What we like – The Chiefs made some really nice picks in the later rounds. Thomas, Murray and Fulton should be able to contribute right away. Thomas was once considered a 1st Round type talent, Murray should be able to back up Alex Smith for years to come. The team also made an interesting pick in 6th Rounder Duvernay-Tardiff out of Canada.
What we don’t like – Dee Ford was one of the most questionable picks of the 1st Round. He may turn out to be a good player but there doesn’t seem like a place in their starting lineup for him. It would have been nice to see them fill a need with their 1st Round pick. We don’t like the pick of Phillip Gaines in the 3rd Round. The Chiefs needed to do more to address the secondary than reach to get a developmental CB.
Overall – This seems like a poor draft for the Chiefs. The pick of Ford does make some sense because OLB’s Tamba Hali and Justin Houston got hurt last season. They are also the teams 2 best players. It doesn’t really look like the Chiefs got anyone that will help them immediately.
Grade C-
Oakland Raiders – Team Needs; QB, WR, DL, OL
1(5) – OLB Khalil Mack Buffalo
2(36) – QB – Derek Carr Fresno State
3(81) – OG Gabe Jackson Mississippi State
4(107) – DT Justin Ellis Louisiana Tech
4(116) – CB Keith McGill Utah
7(219) – CB Travis Carrie Ohio
7(235) – DE Shelby Harris Illinois State
7(247) – S Jonathan Dowling Western Kentucky
What we like – We could have put just about anything under team needs for Oakland. This year they may have done something about it for a change. The Raiders didn’t make the Raider like pick and overdraft Mike Evans. Khalil Mack possibly this drafts best player fell in their lap and they didn’t miss. We have Carr rated as the 3rd best QB in this draft and he may be the most read to play. Gabe Jackson was a great value pick and could start right away. 4th Rounder’s Ellis and McGill have great size for their position. The Raiders even found 3 7th Rounder’s who may contribute.
What we don’t like – There isn’t a lot not to like about this draft for Oakland. If anything you can say they may have reached for size with their 4th Rounder’s but even those were pretty good picks.
Overall – It is extremely surprising to see the Raiders have a draft that makes this much sense. I thought they would have traded up to get Watkins or taken Evans and let Mack slip through their hands. I almost want to give them an A+ but I think the + would only be because they usually draft so poorly.
Grade A
San Diego Chargers – Team Needs; CB, DL, OL, LB
1(25) – CB Jason Verrett TCU
2(50) – OLB Jeremiah Attaochu OLB
3(89) – OG Chris Watt Notre dame
5(165) – DT Ryan Carrethers Arkansas State
6(201) – RB Marion Grice Arizona State
7(240) – WR Tevin Reese Baylor
What we like – The Chargers have helped fill their biggest need by drafting CB Jason Verrett in the 1st Round. Verrett is a little undersized but should start right away. Attaochu could start right away as well. Watt was a solid pick in Round 3. San Diego may have found a late round sleeper in Marion Grice.
What we don’t like – The Chargers didn’t do much else besides picking up Verrett and Attaochu. They only had 6 picks and didn’t seem to get much value in the later rounds. This was a very uneventful draft for a team that was already having a lackluster offseason.
Overall – The Chargers had a pretty average draft. They may have found a couple guys that can contribute but that’s what you’re supposed to do. Overall it really doesn’t seem like they added a ton of talent to their team.
Grade C
