NFL Draft grades: Bears, Browns get full marks
Denver Broncos: D
The Broncos let an obvious change to secure an upgrade over Drew Lock go when they selected Patrick Surtain at No. 9. That pick is good value for Denver in a vacuum, but not moving for a quarterback is a perplexing decision by the team’s front office.
Trading up for a running back in Round 2 was another questionable call for Denver. Javonte Williams is a big back who can break tackles at the next level, but that wasn’t a positon of need for the Broncos.
Maybe a guy like Quinn Meinerz or Barrett Browning pops to make this class look good in retrospect, but it’s an ugly collection of talent at the moment. The Broncos should have used their first rounder to improve their quarterback options while finding superior talent in later rounds.
Kansas City Chiefs: A-
The Chiefs didn’t enter the draft with a first-round pick at their disposal, but they still managed to nab two prospects who easily could have gone off the board late in the opening round. Nick Bolton dropped because of his lack of positional value but he’ll start right away in Kansas City. The same can be said for center Creed Humphrey who fell all the way down to No. 63.
The Chiefs may not have entered the draft in need of new pass catching options, but both tight end Noah Gray and wideout Cornell Power can thrive playing with Patrick Mahomes. This was a sneaky good draft by last year’s Super Bowl runners-up.
Las Vegas Raiders: F
The Jon Gruden/Mike Mayock brain trust continues to do things their way. Unfortunately for Raiders fans, that continues to damage their roster’s talent level.
Picking Alex Leatherwood at No. 17 was the biggest reach of the first round. He will likely start for the Raiders next season, but Vegas should have traded down if they really had their hearts set on the Alabama lineman being their first selection.
The team did get a break when Trevon Moehrig fell to them at No. 43. He fills a big need for the Raiders and should be a great fit in Gus Bradley’s defense. Unfortunately, Las Vegas went back to reaching after that pick. Malcolm Koonce and Divine Deablo went to the Raiders in Round 3 despite being rated by most as Day 3 picks.
This was another bad effort by the flawed regime in Sin City.
Next. 5 best picks of Round 1. dark
Los Angeles Chargers: A
The Chargers get a terrific grade on the back of great value with their first two picks. Rashawn Slater was good value at a position of intense need at No. 13. Asante Samuel, Jr. was an even better value in Round 2.
Both Josh Palmer and Tre’ McKitty are interesting gambles on underrated pass-catchers in Round 3. Nabbing Chris Rumph in Round 4 will give the Chargers more depth in their front seven. This draft class goes down as a big boost for Justin Herbert and his teammates.