2013 AFC West Draft Grades

The biggest moves for The Denver Broncos came in free agency as the team signed wide receiver Wes Welker and outside linebacker Shaun Phillips. The second round did see The Broncos select University of Wisconsin running back Montee Ball to add another dimension to The Broncos offense. I was expecting The Broncos to add a strong safety at some point in The National Football League Draft, but they passed on the opportunity to select University of Florida safety Matt Elam in the first round opting instead for University of North Carolina defensive tackle Sylvester Williams. 

With that said The Broncos are still the class of The AFC West. 

San Diego Chargers

Overall Grade: B+

Best Pick: Round 3-Keenan Allen-Wide Receiver-California

In his first NFL Draft as general manager of The San Diego Chargers, Tom Telesco began planting what he hopes will be fruitful seeds for The Chargers success. I expected San Diego to select University of Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, but when The New York Jets pegged him with the ninth overall pick, The Chargers opted for his college teammate in offensive tackle D.J. Fluker. Fluker will be plugged in on the right side of the offensive line as quarterback Phillip Rivers was in desperate need of protection in front of him.

In the second round Telesco selected University of Notre Dame inside linebacker Manti Te’o. Te’o had first-round potential, but he fell to The Chargers in the second round as teams were not sold on his lateral movement. The Chargers were the perfect team for Te’o as he is as close as possible to his native Hawaii and there won’t be added pressure in San Diego like it would have been in other NFL cities.

Telesco selected University of California wide receiver Keenan Allen in the third round. Allen had first-round potential, but a knee injury allowed his draft stock to fall. Allen could fill the void for Rivers since wide receiver Vincent Jackson left after the 2011 season to sign with The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Chargers are not ready to compete with The Broncos atop The AFC West, but they have improved their team from last season.

Oakland Raiders

Overall Grade: D

Best Pick: Round 2-Manelik Watson-Offensive Tackle-Florida State

For Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, he really hurt the future success of his team with some bad moves. The Raiders came into the draft owning the third overall pick. I expected McKenzie to select University of Oregon outside linebacker Dion Jordan or University of Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd. The Raiders traded with The Miami Dolphins to move down to the 12th pick. The Raiders only gained a second round pick out of the deal which is unheard of for a team trading away a top five pick. 

McKenzie then selected University of Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden who was pegged as a third-round talent coming in. The second round saw The Raiders selected Florida State University offensive tackle Menelik Watson who can come in immediately and start for The Raiders. In the fourth round The Raiders were poised to select a quarterback, but when The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select USC quarterback Matt Barkley and The New York Giants traded up to select Syracuse University quarterback Ryan Nassib, McKenzie had to settle on University of Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson.

One thing is for certain that The Raiders will be selecting in the top ten of next year’s NFL Draft.

Kansas City Chiefs

Overall Grade: B+

Best Pick: Nico Johnson-Inside Linebacker-Alabama

The Kansas City Chiefs came into The NFL Draft owners of the first overall pick and they made the most of it. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was expected to take Texas A&M University offensive tackle Luke Joeckel with the first overall pick, but instead opted for Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher. Fisher is expected to solidify the left side of The Chiefs offensive line for the next decade. The Chiefs selected University of Arkansas running back Knile Davis in the third round as he will give Reid another fast running back to team with Jamaal Charles.

The Chiefs got a steal in the fourth round when they selected University of Alabama inside linebacker Nico Johnson. Johnson was expected to go a little earlier in the draft process, but he fell to The Chiefs and he can come in and start immediately in the 3-4 defense with inside linebacker Derrick Johnson. 

Things are looking up for The Chiefs in Kansas City as they should not suffer through another 2-14 campaign in 2013.