2022 NFL Draft grades: Biggest winners and losers

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 28: (L-R) Zion Johnson poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell onstage after being selected 17th by the Los Angeles Chargers during round one of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft Grades – AFC West

Denver Broncos

The Broncos’ draft haul does include Russell Wilson, who cost Denver their first two picks in this draft plus additional future picks, but John Elway still had a good time in Las Vegas. Adding Nik Bonitto in the second round added depth to the edge-rushing group while Greg Dulcich could start as a rookie to replace Noah Fant, who went to Seattle in the Wilson deal. Cornerback Damarri Mathis was also a strong value in the fourth round for the Broncos.

Grade: B

Kansas City Chiefs

Defense was the order of the draft for Kansas City, which used seven of its 10 picks on defenders to help make up for free agent defections on that side of the ball. Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis will play significant roles on Day 1 while Bryan Cook will help fill the void left by Tyrann Mathieu’s departure in free agency. The wide receiver run did hurt the Chiefs in Round 1 but adding Skyy Moore to work in the slot does bring some more speed to help Andy Reid’s offense.

Grade: B+

Las Vegas Raiders

The draft’s home team sat out the first two rounds after trading for Davante Adams and invested heavily in the trenches, grabbing a guard, a tackle, and two defensive linemen among their six picks. The other two picks were running backs, which is an indictment on their feelings towards Josh Jacobs, whose fifth-year option was declined during the draft. That wasn’t a great use of resources for Las Vegas, which ignored a few defensive needs to double down on a position that already has Jacobs and Kenyan Drake on the depth chart.

Grade: C

Los Angeles Chargers

Grabbing Zion Johnson in the first round gave Los Angeles a key starter at guard but ignored their need at right tackle, which went completely unaddressed in the draft. Instead of addressing key needs like tackle, tight end, or linebacker, the Chargers added depth at positions that were pretty well stocked like defensive tackle and running back. This is a flawed process that could bite Los Angeles in a loaded division.

Grade: D

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