Denver Broncos: B+
1.) Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
2.) Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas St.
2b.) Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
3.) Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio St.
5.) Justin Hollins, OLB, Oregon
6.) Juwann Winfree, WR, Colorado
The Denver Broncos and GM John Elway did an incredible job during the draft. After years of spotty records, this has the makings of being a quality class. They started Day One of the draft by jumping down from the 10th overall selection and came away with Fant at the 20th. He instantly solves the question that the Broncos have had for years at the position.
On Day Two they addressed the trenches by bringing in Risner and Jones. Both have high upside, and Risner could be a Day One starter along the offensive line. The only question is, where? Risner has unique versatility, having played center and tackle at the college level, but he maybe best at guard.
Landing Lock was the key to this being a strong draft class. Everyone knows the Broncos have whiffed on addressing the quarterback position and instead of being pressured into reaching for one, the Broncos took that draft capital from trading in the first-round to jump up and take Lock, immediately after taking Risner.
Kansas City Chiefs: C
2.) Mecole Hardman, WR, Georgia
2b.) Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia
3.) Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois
6.) Rashad Fenton, CB, South Carolina
6b.) Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah St.
7.) Nick Allegretti, OG, Illinois
The Chiefs really have to look themselves in the mirror. After cutting running back Kareem Hunt last season following the release of a video depicting him in a physical altercation with a woman, the team sent their first-round pick to Seattle for defensive end Frank Clark (who was kicked off the Michigan football team after a domestic violence arrest), AND THEN Tyreek Hill made headlines over draft weekend as audio surfaced which led to the child abuse case against Hill being reopened by local authorities (he also beat his girlfriend while she was pregnant and still was drafted by Kansas City). This is extremely poor management on full display and unfortunately for their rookie class, clouds their ascent to the NFL.
All that aside, the Chiefs addressed most of their needs over free agency. The draft acted more as an opportunity to fill the gaps on their roster. The Chiefs needed an extra weapon in the slot and added Hardman. He is electric with the ball in his hands and can provide some juice to the return game as well. The Chiefs offensive line was a big need and did little to add depth.
Adding to the defense was most important as they transform from a 3-4 scheme to a 4-3 scheme. Again, the Chiefs were big players in free agency, so this was more about creating depth. Thornhill and Saunders offer that, with starter upside. Thornhill, is versatile enough to lineup virtually anywhere in the secondary.
LA Chargers: B
1.) Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
2.) Nassir Adderly, S, Delaware
3.) Trey Pipkins, OT, Sioux Falls
4.) Drue Tranquill, LB, Notre Dame
5.) Easton Stick, QB, North Dakota St.
6.) Emeke Egbule, LB, Houston
7.) Cortez Broughton, DT, Cincinnati
Unlike the Broncos, the Bolts weren’t jumping up and down the draft board. They stood pat and brought in a lot of production. With their first two picks they addressed their two biggest needs in defensive tackle and safety. Tillery, is a monster in the middle and got better every year at Notre Dame. Tillery in a rotation with Justin Jones and Brandon Mebane will be fun to watch.
As will the new duo Derwin James and Adderly. He may not be a flashy name, but he is a great football player and four-year starter with position versatility. He tallied 33 pass breakups and 11 interceptions over his career in Delaware and will be perfect compliment to the dynamic James.
The rest of the draft provides and depth and development players. Pipkins, is a D-II talent, but he was dominate. If coached up well, Pipkins could be an anchor on the right side. Stick, is the winningest quarterback in FCS history. Tranquill, if healthy, could develop into a starter sooner than later.
Oakland Raiders: A-
1.) Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
1b.) Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
1c.) Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi St.
2.) Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
4.) Maxx Crosby, DE, Eastern Michigan
4b.) Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston
4c.) Foster Moreau, TE, LSU
5.) Hunter Renfrow, WR, Clemson
7.) Quenton Bell, DE, Prairie View A&M
The Raiders clearly targeted two things in this size and production. This is a loaded draft class in regard to those two criteria. While some may say the selection of Clelin Ferrell was a reach at No. 4, the player as a whole is hard to argue against. Ferrell’s numbers got better every season at Clemson. You can count on quality play from Ferrell for a decade.
The team went heavy on defense, going back to that side of the ball with five of their eight remaining picks. Abram and Mullen, are instant upgrades to the passing defense and could emerge as Day One starters. Johnson, has tremendous size, but little production. He could be molded into a starter in time.
On the offensive side of the ball, Oakland addressed the skill positions with Jacobs, Moreau, and Renfrow. Jacobs, arguably the top back in the draft, gives the Raiders the lead back they need. Moreau, is an under the radar player. Steady, old school prospect who is a force as a blocker and has the hands to add value in the passing game. Renfrow, is a classic gritty Jon Gruden type of player.
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