Grading the Draft: AFC West fans laughed at the Raiders but what if they were the joke?

The NFL Draft is now over and I wanted to go over each division to grade the draft and talk about the best pick and the biggest reach for each team. I know this is very early to talk about who was the best and worst pick of their draft, but let’s face it, it is what we do for a living!!

Denver Broncos – It is hard to say the Broncos had a bad draft, John Elway did his thing during the draft. His team traded back with Pittsburgh and landed Noah Fant, a player we had them taking at 10. Then they turned around and landed Dalton Risner who is a hard worker and a Colorado native. They killed the draft when they landed Drew Lock in the 2nd round. The biggest reach for me was Winfree who they drafted in the 6th round, but besides that, they did a great job. I give them a B+ for their draft.

Kansas City Chiefs – Chiefs landed one of my favorite players in Khalen Saunders, and while he was my favorite pick for them, the Chiefs also landed Mecole Hardman who is very similar to Tyreek Hill. The Chiefs have a decision to make with him and that could determine this draft class. If Hardman can turn out to be a stud, which many feel he will this will be a good draft. I love Thornhill as well, but it is hard to give the Chiefs a great draft grade without a top 50 prospect on their list. I still give them a B, because many of the guys they drafted will make an impact.

Oakland Raiders – People want to drag the Oakland Raiders but overall they had a great draft. I know they reached for Clellin Ferrell until he shines. I honestly think he will help the Raiders get after the quarterback. I hate to see a guy like Ferrell go higher than he should have but if they trust their eyes as scouts I respect it. Mike Mayock and Gruden then turned in guys like Foster Moreau and Hunter Renfrow. Add in the fact they landed Jonathan Abram, and Joshua Jacobs who will start day one. They landed Maxx Crosby who is one of my favorite sleepers, Quinton Bell a small schooler with tons of athleticism and Trayvon Mullen. The biggest reach was Ferrell but if he ends this season with 10 sacks I would not be shocked. I give the Raiders an overall A-.

Los Angeles Chargers – I love the Chargers draft as they secured three small schoolers. Only 17 were drafted in the 2019 NFL Draft and the Chargers had three. While I smile at that they did reach on a few players. One player I feel they reached on was a small schooler. It was Trey Pipkins. I feel the Chargers taking him in the third was a bit of a reach. I love him but felt he would be a fifth to seventh. Regardless they took him. They landed a steal in Nasir Adderley in the second near the end of the round. I love the Tillery pick and overall they did a great job. I think a B- is fitting for their draft.