2010 NFL Draft: Breaking Down the AFC West
With this year’s draft in the books it is time to start looking at how each of the teams did. We already looked at the NFC East, NFC North, NFC South, NFC West, AFC East, AFC North and the AFC South so now it is time to do the AFC West.
Denver Broncos
The first round selection of Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was an interesting one for the Broncos. With Brandon Marshall being dealt to the Dolphins leading up to the draft the team needed to find another potential #1 receiver. Thomas is very athletic and might be the best physical specimen at the receiver position in this draft, however he drops some passes a first round pick has not business dropping. Arrelious Benn was probably the safer pick for the Broncos but Thomas has a lot of upside assuming he keeps the drops in check.
The Broncos moved back into the first round to nab the most controversial pick of the draft, Florida QB Tim Tebow. Experts are very divided on whether Tebow will ever develop into a starting quarterback at the next level. There is no reason to believe that he cannot do it, but there is definitely going to be a learning curve for Tebow as he transitions from the spread offense to taking snaps and dropping back from under center. It seems like a pretty big gamble taking him this high knowing it could be two or three years until you see any return on the investment.
With their second round pick the Broncos took Utah offensive lineman Zane Beadles. The Broncos were looking to add some depth at the interior line positions and Beadles is expected to transition from tackle to guard in the NFL. Beadles was probably a bit of a reach here though.
The Broncos then reached on Baylor center J. D. Walton in the third round. With Casey Weigmann moving on to the Chiefs the Broncos have an opening at the center position, but is Walton good enough to compete for the starting job out of the chute?
With their second third round pick Denver landed Minnesota receiver Eric Decker. Decker is not a bad pick here. He likely would have gone a lot higher had he not battled a Lisfranc injury last fall and been healthy enough to run at full speed for scouts this spring. Prior to his foot problems he was considered a second round talent. If healthy he should give the Broncos a nice compliment to first round pick Thomas.
Denver got a good value pick in Perrish Cox (CB, Oklahoma State) in the fifth round. Many had Cox rated as a second or third round talent who slipped due to some off-the-field issues. Cox gives an aging secondary some much needed youth and should challenge for a starting job sooner rather than later.
Grade: B. Thomas should start and Decker will get a chance to win a starting job at receiver if he is healthy. Beadles and Walton give some depth at the interior line positions and Cox should develop into a solid starter in a year or two. Solid draft, would have liked to see them look at a potential starting TE and possibly add some depth at LB though.
Kansas City Chiefs
Taking Tennessee safety Eric Berry over Russell Okung was an interesting pick. There is nothing wrong with Berry but some would argue that taking a potential upgrade at LT would have been the smarter pick, but Berry is considered a once in a generation prospect at safety so the Chiefs could have done worse here. The Chiefs desperately need dynamic play-makers on the defensive side of the ball and Berry may be the best of the bunch in this draft.
Taking Dexter McCluster with the 36th pick was definitely a reach and I am not sure he fills a pressing need for a team that already has Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles at running back. McCluster may be more quick than he is fast so it remains to be seen if he will be able to outrun opposing defenders in the NFL. He has good speed but not the elite speed he was thought to have.
Alabama corner Javier Arenas was probably a bit of a reach in the middle of the second round and will forever be known as the player they got for Tony Gonzalez. It is debatable whether Arenas has the size and speed to be anything more than a nickel back in the NFL which makes this a questionable pick given their need for an upgrade at the position.
They got great value in Illinois offensive lineman Joe Asamoah in the fourth round. Most had Asamoah as a strong second round prospect. He gives the Chiefs some needed depth along the interior offensive line and could challenge for a starting job this summer.
Grade: C+. They lose points for reaching on McCluster and Arenas, two players who really do not fill pressing needs for the Chiefs. Berry will start and Asamoah could start next season. Came away without anyone who could potentially contribute at NT or ILB.
Oakland Raiders
After seeing what the Raiders did with their first two picks I began to wonder if having the draft in prime time was a blessing in disguise for the Raiders because it was past Al Davis’ bed time.
Taking Rolando McClain (ILB, Alabama) with the 8th pick was a mild surprise but not a bad pick for the Raiders. The run defense allowed 156 yards per game last season and one thing McClain excelled at in college was shutting down the run.
Second round pick Lamarr Houston (DT, Texas) was a nice addition as well. He was a beast against the run in college and he should help shore up the run defense as well. The Raiders were getting a bit old at the position so Houston gives them some much needed youth there as well.
Third rounder Edwin Veldheer (OT, Hillsdale) is a bit raw and is seen as a guy who could potentially develop into a starting LT a couple of years down the road.
The Raiders got pretty decent value with Bruce Campbell (OT, Maryland) in the fourth round. A lot of folks had him coming off the board in the first or second round. He is arguably the most athletic and physically impressive of this year’s offensive line class however that did not always translate over to his play on the field while at Maryland. He is seen as a project guy with a lot of upside who will not be expected to start right away.
Is anyone shocked to see Jacoby Ford go to the Raiders in this draft? He was, after all, the fastest player at this year’s scouting combine with a 4.28 40 yard dash. The biggest surprise might be the fact that they waited this long to take him. He gives them a potential game-breaker in the return game and should see some time lining up in the slot. He also saw some time carrying the ball at Clemson. The Raiders could look to him to be a Percy Harvin type of player who lines up all over the field.
Grade: B+. McClain and Houston should start while Veldheer or Campbell could win starting jobs. Ford’s speed gives them a potential game-breaker on offense.
San Diego Chargers
Grabbing Fresno’s Ryan Matthews in the first round was not an unexpected move by the Chargers. However, one wonders if they needed to move up as far a they did to get him. Matthews is widely regarded as the best between-the-tackles back in this class and is the more traditional running back. With Darren Sproles showing he does not have the chops to be the primary ball carrier in San Diego Matthews will see more than his share of carries next season.
Washington ILB Donald Butler was a bit of a reach in the third round but he should challenge for playing time right away as he is a bit more physical and athletic than incumbents Brandon Siler and Stephen Cooper are.
Fourth round pick Darrell Stuckey (S, Kansas) gives the Chargers a potential big play guy at the safety position, however, he needs some seasoning before he will challenge for a starting job.
Fifth round selection Cam Thomas (DT, UNC) was seen by many as a strong third round prospect so the Chargers got good value here. With Jamaal Williams moving on to Denver the Chargers needed to find a potential successor and may have landed one in Thomas. He has the size to line up over the center and anchor against the run, however, he will not give them much by way of rushing the passer.
Grade: B. Matthews will likely see the majority of the carries next season and Thomas could win the starting job at the NT position. Cannot help but wonder if they gave up too much to get Matthews though. Butler should be a regular contributor on defense and Stuckey has the potential to be a starter in a year or two. Would have liked to see them grab a corner though.
