Denver Broncos

Team Needs: RB, CB, LB, DT, DE

’09 Selections:

1st – RB Knowshon Moreno, DE Robert Ayers
2nd – CB Alphonso Smith, CB Darcel McBath
4th – FS David Bruton, OG Seth Olson
5th – WR Kenny McKinley
6th – QB Tom Brandstater
7th – OC – Blake Schlueter

Analysis: Denver was one of the teams in the draft that really went all out to get the players they really wanted in this draft, as opposed to trading back consistently to pick up selections for next year. They did reach a bit with some of their picks, so they lost points off of their overall tally. That being said, they did a nice job overall to pick up a lot of talent, especially early on in the draft.

Moreno could very well end up becoming the Offensive Rookie of the Year when things are said and done at the end of the season, and their pick of Smith should pay off major dividends in their defensive secondary. The best pick of the draft though, may end up being Bradnstater in the sixth, as he could find a way into the starting lineup by the end of the year.

Final Grade: B

Kansas City Chiefs

Team Needs: DT, DE, LB, OT, WR

’09 Selections:

1st – DE Tyson Jackson
3rd – DE Alex Magee
4th – CB Donald Washington
5th – OT Colin Brown
6th – WR Quinten Lawrence
7th – RB Javarris Williams, TE Jake O’Connell, K Ryan Succop

Analysis: The Chiefs made the first interesting pick of the draft when they took Jackson with the 3rd overall pick, as most pundits felt he was a mid 1st prospect at best. Then again, Jackson also was the best 3-4 DE in this draft, so it makes sense that KC take him to make sure their defensive line can hold up if they switch to that style of play.

Taking Brown in the 5th raised a few eyebrows as well, although given his size (6’7″, 335 lbs.) he could become a tremendous right tackle for the team in the near future. Both Lawrence and Williams will contribute early, although their production may be limited while they learn the game. Overall, the Chiefs reached somewhat with their picks, but with all their needs, KC did well to get as many positions filled as they did.

Final Grade: B-

Oakland Raiders

Team Needs: WR, OT, DT, S, CB

’09 Selections:

1st – WR Darrius Heyward-Bey
2nd – S Mike Mitchell
3rd – DE Matt Shaughnessy
4th – WR Louis Murphy, LB Slade Norris
6th – DE Stryker Sulak, TE Brandon Myers

Analysis: What can you say about Al Davis other than he marches to the beat of his own drum? Seriously, no one had Heyward-Bey going off the board before Jeremy Maclin and Michael Crabtree, yet that’s exactly what the Raiders did in taking DHB at #7 overall. He’s got the speed, but his hands are questionable along with his consistency, so the jury’s still out on this one.

Oakland’s second day turned out really well though, especially the picks of Murphy and Sulak, who were both productive players in college, and should translate their game to the NFL fairly easily. I won’t be nearly as hard on Davis as some pundits have been, but I will say that the Raiders’ overall grade could have been much better had they not reached so much early on.

Final Grade: C

San Diego Chargers

Team Needs: LB, RB, WR, OG, CB

’09 Selections:

1st – LB Larry English
3rd – OG Louis Vasquez
4th – DT Vaughn Martin, OG Tyronne Green, RB Gartrell Johnson
5th – CB Brandon Hughes
6th – S Kevin Ellison
7th – WR Demetrius Byrd

Analysis: Drafting English as high as they did will send a major signal to fellow LB Shawne Merriman that he has to put up or shut up this season if he wants a new deal in San Diego. That being said, I like the pick because it gives the Chargers more flexibility and pass rush ability, which is never a bad thing to have too much of.

On the second day, my favorite pick for the Chargers has to be Ellison, who has enough talent to be a starter sooner or later in the NFL, but injuries prevented him from showing that talent consistently at USC. He’ll get every opportunity to do just that though in San Diego. If Byrd is able to recover completely from the injuries he suffered in his car crash recently, he’ll be major steal as he’s got all the ability in the world.

Final Grade: B+

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