Normally I write a lengthy review for each team’s draft. This summer I had a couple of projects that really ate into my time and put me behind schedule. I will instead just post some quick thoughts for each division. My apologies for the lack of posts this summer.
Here is the AFC West …
DENVER BRONCOS
2 – DT Derek Wolfe – Cincinnati – 6-5, 295
2 – QB Brock Osweiler – Arizona State – 6-7, 242
3 – RB Ronnie Hillman – SDSU – 5-9, 200
4 – CB Omar Bolden – Arizona State – 5-10, 202
4 – C Phillip Blake – Baylor – 6-3, 311
5 – DE Malik Jackson – Tennessee – 6-5, 284
6 – LB Danny Treavathan – Kentucky – 6-0, 237
I loved Derek Wolfe and had no problem with the Broncos taking him so high. I think he can be a big time player up front. Osweiler is not a player that did a lot for me. I’ll defer to John Elway for now, but I’m curious to see if he’s one of those former QBs who knows what he’s looking for or not. Hillman could turn out to be a very good value pick. Also loved the late selection of Trevathan. I think he’s got starting potential. Denver had success with another former UK LB, Wesley Woodyard.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
1 – NT Dontari Poe – Memphis – 6-4, 346
2 – OT Jeff Allen – Illinois – 6-4, 307
3 – OT Donald Stephenson – Oklahoma – 6-6, 312
4 – WR Devon Wylie – Fresno State – 5-9, 187
5 – CB DeQuan Menzie – Alabama – 5-11, 202
6 – RB Cyrus Gray – Texas A&M – 5-10, 206
7 – DT Jerome Long – SDSU – 6-5, 290
7 – WR Junior Hemingway – Michigan – 6-1, 225
Poe is the ultimate boom or bust pick. The Chiefs will look brilliant for their gamble if he pans out. If he’s a disaster, that could be a costly reach by Scott Pioli. Love the pick of Allen in the 2nd. Not a sexy pick, but a tough, talented player who can help at OT or OG. Wylie and Menzie could be very good role players. Gray is a RB that many people really liked, although I wasn’t all that high on him. Hemingway could be a steal. I’m still not sure how he fell that far.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
3 – OT Tony Bergstrom – Utah – 6-5, 313
4 – LB Miles Burris – SDSU – 6-2, 246
5 – DE Jack Crawford – Penn State – 6-5, 274
5 – WR Juron Criner – Arizona – 6-3, 224
6 – DE Christo Bilukidi – Georgia State – 6-5, 290
7 – LB Nathan Stupar – Penn State – 6-2, 241
Reggie McKenzie had no 1st or 2nd round pick so he had to be patient and creative. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of this class as a whole, but it is hard to judge McKenzie and Coach Dennis Allen since we don’t know their systems yet. Bergstrom might be able to play right away. Good OL. Criner is a very talented WR who could thrive in the NFL. Crawford is a size/speed guy, but the Raiders must develop him as a football player.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
1 – LB Melvin Ingram – South Carolina – 6-2, 264
2 – DE Kendall Reyes – UConn – 6-4, 299
3 – SS Brandon Taylor – LSU – 5-11, 209
4 – TE Ladarius Green – ULL – 6-6, 238
5 – OG Johnnie Troutman – Penn State – 6-4, 325
7 – C David Molk – Michigan – 6-1, 298
7 – RB Edwin Baker – Michigan State – 5-9, 204
Ingram is what the Chargers needed. Shawne Merriman is long gone. Larry English hasn’t come close to panning out. Ingram can be a dynamic pass rusher and that’s what the doctor ordered. Reyes can play DE and also help as a rusher. The 3-4 is at its best when the DEs can help the OLBs get to the QB. Green is a TE/WR tweener. The Chargers should be a good landing spot for him. They’ve had luck with players like that in the past. Molk has starting potential. Injuries affected his value.
