2010 NFL Draft Grades: AFC West
ByDenver
Picks: (1) #22 Demaryius Thomas WR, (1) #25 Tim Tebow QB, (2) #45 Zane Beadles OG, (3) #80 Zane Beadles OG, (3) #87 Eric Decker WR, (5) #137 Perrish Cox CB, (6) #183 Eric Olsen C, (7) #225 Syd’Quan Thompson CB, (7) #232 Jammie Kirlew DE
Overview: They traded Brandon Marshall before the draft so they got Thomas, who is a stud. They needed a franchise leading quarterback with character so they drafted Tebow and plan on fixing his mechanical issues. They need to protect the passer more so they bulked up the interior of their line with Walton and Beadles. Then they found value with Decker, Cox, Olsen and Thompson. Beside the Tebow pick, which was a big reach, the Broncos made themselves a lot better on Draft weekend.
Grade: B+
Kansas City
Picks: (1) #5 Eric Berry S, (2) #36 Dexter McCluster RB, (2) #50 Javier Arenas CB, (4) #68 Jon Asamoah, (3) Tony Moeaki TE, (5) #136 Kendrick Lewis S, (5) #142 Cameron Sheffield OLB
Overview: The Chiefs grabbed four starters with their first four picks and made their team a lot faster over the weekend. Berry brings intensity to a defensive backfield that lacked explosiveness, McCluster is a threat to score any time he touches the ball, Arenas can play with most receivers on an island and Asamoah will be a 10-year starter in the NFL at guard. The last three picks will also fill needs in KC, a team that looks like they are on the right track.
Grade: A-
Oakland
Picks: (1) #8 Rolando McClain LB (2) #44 Lamarr Houston DT, (3) #69 Edwin Veldheer OT, (4) #106 Bruce Campbell OT, (4) #108 Jacoby Ford WR, (5) #138 Walter McFadden CB, (6) #190 Travis Goethel ILB, (7) #215 Jeremy Ware CB, (7) #251 Steven Brown S
Overview: The Raiders pulled a typical Draft day reach and got McClain a little earlier than he should have gone. The term ‘trading down’ is not in Al Davis’ vocabulary and it burns Oakland every year. Besides that small blunder, Oakland did pretty well. Houston has played in a ton of big games and can fill holes with regularity. Veldheer is a big man with a lot of upside who they can plug in at left tackle immediately, if he commits to the system early. Campbell is the best big-man athlete in the draft and the Raiders did well by holding off until the fourth round to grab him. He’s a project but he can turn into a great pick. Ford will help their return game immediately but has a lot of work to do in order to be a capable NFL receiver.
Grade: B-
San Diego
Picks: (1) #12 Ryan Mathews RB, (3) #79 Donald Butler LB, (4) #110 Darrell Stuckey S, (5) #146 Cam Thomas DT, (5) #168 Jonathan Crompton QB, (7) #235 Dedrick Epps TE
Overview: San Diego’s main concern in this draft was at running back. They got their man in Mathews, even though they may have taken him a little high. Even without a second round pick they probably came out of the 2010 Draft with four starter, a quarterback that has the ability to make all the throws, spins the ball really well but remains a project and a tight end that provides team depth. The Chargers addressed the issued necessary to keep them on top of the AFC West for the foreseeable future but didn’t do anything outstanding over the weekend.
