Denver
Denver only had five picks in the draft and used those picks to add talent to the roster – two offensive and three defensive prospects were drafted. Sanders and Moss figure to challenge for starting positions this fall.
Best pick – Moss
??? pick – Skinner
Grade – C+
Round/Pick | Prospect | Pos | College | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2/63 | Marvin Mims | WR | Oklahoma | Denver trades up and picks the undersized but explosive WR who should work well out of the slot. |
3/67 | Drew Sanders | LB | Arkansas | Quality LB who excels at blitzing. Recorded 9 sacks in 2022. |
3/83 | Riley Moss | CB | Iowa | Moss could become the first white CB to get significant playing time in the NFL since Jason Sehorn retired two decades ago. |
6/183 | JL Skinner | S | Boise State | Skinner has great size, length, and range. His ability to contribute on special teams will impact his immediate NFL future. |
7/257 | Alex Forsyth | IOL | Oregon | The Ducks center is a solid, reliable pivotman who has battled injuries in his time in Eugene. He may have to spend time on the practice squad but he looks to be a possible contributor in the NFL. |
Kansas City
The Chiefs had six draft picks – two were used on offense and four on defense. The Chiefs had no major needs to address and stayed true to their draft plans with their picks, adding two Edge Rushers (FAU, Thompson) and two defensive backs (Conner, Jones). Nothing sexy. Just a fundamentally solid draft performance.
Best pick – Thompson
??? pick – Morris
Grade – B-
Round/Pick | Prospect | Pos | College | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1/31 | Felix Anudike-Uzomah | Edge | Kansas State | FAU recorded double digit sacks the last two seasons at K State. He has excellent length, bend, and closing burst. This seems a bit high for FAU but he is a quality pass rusher with plenty of upside to be developed by the Super Bowl Champions. |
3/92 | Wanya Morris | OT | Oklahoma | Strong, tough, and physical with marginal balance and lateral agility. Morris may have to play OG in the NFL. |
4/119 | Chamarri Conner | S | Virginia Tech | Reportedly, the Chiefs think that Conner will be a CB in the NFL and he has the size and length desired to line up on the outside. |
5/116 | BJ Thompson | Edge | Stephen F. Austin | There are reasons that certain teams always seem to be good – having Mahomes certainly helps – and that because they develop a draft plan and then execute that plan. Thompson has great natural tools and is a highly productive FCS pass rusher. It may take a while, but Thompson figures to be a contributor early in his career. |
6/209 | Keondre Coburn | DT | Texas | Coburn is a run stuffer who figures to compete for a backup NT job with the Chiefs. |
7/250 | Nic Jones | CB | Ball State | Jones has good length and quick twitch reaction skills to mirror WRs in man coverage. Jones should be a solid contributor in time but is likely to spend time on the practice squad first. |
LA Chargers
The Chargers used their seven draft picks to add a couple of receivers (their biggest need) and then addressed their defensive and offensive lines with three additional linemen. The Chargers are in the mix to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl because they utilize all means, including the draft, to improve their roster.
Best pick – Matlock
??? pick – None
Grade – A-
Round/Pick | Prospect | Pos | College | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1/21 | Quintin Johnston | WR | TCU | The Chargers have a type…at WR. Johnston has size, length, and explosive long speed. Injuries at WR hurt LA last year. By drafting Johnston, consider that problem addressed. |
2/54 | Tuli Tuipulotu | Edge | USC | TT led the PAC 12, and FBS, in sacks. He’s a tough, hard-nosed defender. |
3/85 | Daiyan Henley | LB | Washington State | Henley has excellent speed and instincts and has great range. He has good coverage abilities and can cover TEs and most RBs. |
4/125 | Derius Davis | WR | TCU | Chargers load up on Horned Frogs WR with the drafting of Davis. Davis has elite deep speed and is a very good punt returner. |
5/156 | Jordan McFadden | OT | Clemson | McFadden was a multi-year starting OLT for the Tigers. He lacks a bit of desired length and athleticism to play OLT in the pros but is a smart, well-schooled prospect who will compete for playing time early in his career. |
6/200 | Scott Matlock | DT | Boise State | Chargers select the quick and strong Matlock at #200. Matlock lost both his parents at age 14 and has overcome significant obstacles to become an NFL draft pick. Matlock has the skills, and the character, to carve out a long-term NFL career. |
7/239 | Max Duggan | QB | TCU | Chargers select the Heisman finalist. Duggan profiles as a potential long-term NFL #2 QB with leadership skills, moxie, and toughness. Duggan will most likely start his career on the Chargers practice squad. |
Las Vegas
The Raiders used their nine picks to bolster the offensive and defensive lines (3 linemen & 1 TE) and their coverage units with three space players on defense (1 LB, 1 CB, and 1 Safety). Like most drafts, the Raiders’ draft will be evaluated by the performance of Tyree Wilson. But the overall depth of this class is impressive.
Best pick – Bennett
??? pick – O'Connell
Grade – B-
Round/Pick | Prospect | Pos | College | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1/7 | Tyree Wilson | Edge | Texas Tech | The rumors were that the Raiders were going to draft a CB at #7 but decide to go with the talented Red Raider pass rusher. Wilson has great length and power and will line up opposite All-Pro Maxx Crosby on the DL. |
2/35 | Michael Mayer | TE | Notre Dame | SNS’ #1 ranked TE finally goes off the board. He’s solid as a blocker and has reliable hands. Good pick. |
3/70 | Byron Young | DL | Alabama | Young is versatile and fundamentally solid DT who can play DE, DT, or NT. |
3/100 | Tre Tucker | WR | Cincinnati | Undersized slot receiver with speed and elusiveness. Should excel as a punt returner in the NFL. |
4/104 | Jakorian Bennett | CB | Maryland | Great ball athlete who is always near the ball in the air. |
4/135 | Aidan O'Connell | QB | Purdue | Raiders trade up to select the Boilermaker QB. O’Connell is a poor man’s Jared Goff who is smart and efficient but lacks some arm strength and has no remarkable skills that stand out. |
5/170 | Christopher Smith | S | Georgia | Raiders make a good selection with the drafting of Smith, who is smart, instinctual, and is a leader on the field. |
6/203 | Amari Burney | LB | Florida | Burney is an extremely athletic LB who matches up well in space with both RBs and TEs. His length makes him effective in run support, as well as in coverage. |
7/231 | Nesta Jade Silvera | DT | Arizona State | NJS, a transfer from Miami, Fl, is limited as a pass rusher but looks to be an ideal inside run stuffer in Vegas. He should compete for a roster spot this fall. |
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