Will Hunter Harvey be a worthy successor to Antonio Gates for the Chargers?
How did your team do in the NFL draft? FantasyPros expert Brian Riedmiller has the review on all 32 NFL teams, complete with winners, losers, and draft grades. All teams are graded on an A through F scale, where “C” is average. So what are the grades? Read on to find out!
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Grading the AFC West
Winners: San Diego Chargers
Losers: None
Oakland Raiders
Immediate Needs – SS / DE
Long Term Needs – RB / FS
Depth Possibilities – DT / ILB / LT / CB
Karl Joseph, who was a safety from West Virginia, heads the Raiders effort to rebuild their defense, although some had Joseph going as much as a round later. Still, he is a playmaker who goes all out and puts it on the line. Second and third round defensive end picks, Jihad Ward and Shilique Calhoun, provide necessary defensive line depth that can help them improve that front seven. Round four had them selecting quarterback Connor Cook, who was a good value where they took him but seems like an unnecessary pick with the above average performance of quarterback, David Carr, last season. Overall, the Raiders did a good, but not great, job of addressing needs while taking the most talented players.
FantasyPros draft grade: C+
Denver Broncos
Immediate Needs – QB
Long Term Needs – DE / OG / OT
Depth Possibilities – SS / ILB / TE
Somehow, the Broncos were able to wait until pick number 26 in the first round to grab their quarterback. Six-foot-seven, Paxton Lynch, and his rocket arm will allow the Broncos to stretch the field. However, with some of the offensive line issues they had last season, they could have afforded adding a lineman before round five, so their new quarterback actually gets time in the pocket to do so. The fact that their defense was so stout last season, combined with them spending money on resigning both running backs this offseason, are all evidence that, past round one, the Broncos might have tried to draft a little bit too much for value and not enough for need.
FantasyPros draft grade: C
Kansas City Chiefs
Immediate Needs – CB / DE
Long Term Needs – ILB / SS
Depth Possibilities – OG / QB
Kansas City’s first pick this year wasn’t until number 37 overall, but they did a good job at getting a first round talent in Chris Jones, who will give them the necessary depth that they need on the defensive line. Two of the next three picks went to the secondary, drafting KeiVarae Russell and Eric Murray, who both help cross off the second major need on their list. Demarcus Robinson, a receiver picked in round four, could stick as a depth pick with special teams potential, but the team could have definitely gotten him or a similar talent a round or two later. Plus, their fifth-round pick in Kevin Hogan lacks the mechanics and athleticism to succeed as anything but a backup quarterback. All in all, the Chiefs had an average draft where they did well with their earlier picks, but for me could have done better day three.
FantasyPros draft grade: B-
San Diego Chargers
Immediate Needs – DE
Long Term Needs – FS /C / TE
Depth Possibilities – OT / NT
Joey Bosa is a solid pick that gives the Chargers depth at defensive end. The jury is out whether or not all of the comparisons to JJ Watt will be true, but what is true is Bosa’s athleticism and versatility. Although this year’s tight end crop was not the best, second round pick, Hunter Henry, is the best of the bunch. The Chargers are the perfect landing spot, since there should be opportunity sooner than later, and Henry is built very similar to Antonio Gates. Third round pick, Max Tuerk, an athletic center, was a good value pick, as was fourth round inside linebacker, Joshua Perry. However, their day three picks will probably only all end up being camp bodies that get cut. Still, two out of three days isn’t bad.
FantasyPros draft grade: B
Here are Brian’s draft grades for other divisions:
Brian Riedmiller is a fantasy correspondent for FantasyPros.com. He has been playing fantasy football for over a decade, and is an avid Eagles fan. You can catch him on Twitter under the handle @FantasyCouncil.
