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I decided to grade Denver's draft live and update it as our picks are selected.
1(12): Ryan Clady/OT - Boise State Draft Grade: A- Notes: With Matt Lepsis retired and our O-Line depleted, Ryan Clady is a big OT that fits our zone-blocking scheme fairly well. We didn't have many options at 12 and OL was our biggest need coming into the draft. Good, safe pick. Who Denver should have picked: Ryan Clady
2(42) Eddie Royal/WR -Virginia Tech Draft Grade: D+ Notes: Really? Picking Eddie Royal was a mediocre pick at best. We decided to take this guy over Malcolm Kelly and Limas Sweed (and DeSean Jackson, but many think he isn't big enough anyways). If we weren't going to take DeSean Jackson because of his size, then why take another WR who is only 10 lbs heavier than Jackson? We needed a big WR to help stretch the field who could be a deep threat, which would be Malcolm Kelly or Limas Sweed. I don't see the logic in Eddie Royal, if we wanted a WR, Sweed or Kelly hands down; if we wanted a KR/PR, then Jackson is the pick hands down.Who Denver should have picked: Limas Sweed/WR -Texas
4(108) Kory Lichtensteiger/OG-Bowling Green Draft Grade: B+ Notes: It's a nice pick. A good 4 year starter in college that is a pretty smart player. Having those 4 years of starting really helps us on Day-1 instead of having only 2 years or so of starting experience like some other O-Linemen have had in this draft this late in the rounds. I didn't predict Denver to get him, although who really does this late in the draft?
Who Denver should have picked: Kory Lichtensteiger, it's a good pick for the o-line.
4(119) Jack Williams/CB-Kent State Draft Grade: B Notes: I'm not going to lie, I had never heard of this guy before today (well, I remember seeing him watching the NFL combine, but it's not like I've been his #1 fan or anything). He's an athletic Corner, which is good considering Champ Bailey and Dre Bly aren't exactly young-guns anymore. He gives nice depth at the CB position behind Foxworth.Who Denver should have picked: Jack Williams (we need depth at CB, so I won't argue against this pick)
5(139) Ryan Torain/RB- Arizona StateDraft Grade: B- Notes: He's a short yardage back; shows some similarities with ex-Bronco Mike Anderson. Can help us somewhat, although I thought we could have taken a DT here instead.Who Denver should have picked: Frank Okam/DT-Texas
5(148) Carlton Powell/DT-Virginia TechDraft Grade: B- Notes: He was a 3 year starter, which is somewhat rare coming late in the draft, so that helps him stand out over other possibile draftees. He's not exactly great physically, but can be productive.Who Denver should have picked: Frank Okam or Mike Hart/RB-Michigan
6(183) Spencer Larsen/LB-ArizonaDraft Grade: B+ Notes: It seemed kind of late in the draft to begin addressing the needs at LB, but still a decent pick considering we had already addressed the needs at OL, WR, DT, and CB. Larsen doesn't have the 40 time that is desired, but fills gaps nicely.Who Denver should have picked: Spencer Larsen was a good pick here.
7(227) Peyton Hillis/FB-ArkansasDraft Grade: A Notes: Behind Charger draftee Jacob Hester, a lot of people said Hillis was the next best FB in this year's draft. He can catch passes out of the backfield and has great speed for a FB, but lead blocking might be a concern. I like the pick.Who Denver should have picked: We're lucky that Hillis slipped this far, nice pick Denver.
*updated Eddie Royal's draft grade to D+, just so people aren't thinking that I think Eddie Royal sucks. He has okay talent, but the decision to take him was a F, but i'll change it to D+ so people don't get to thinking I think he will be absolutely nothing in the NFL.
Our draft compared to our rivals and other AFC teams:
1. Chargers: Grade: B-:They only had one pick on Day 1, but the addressed their need in the secondary with Antoine Cason.
2. Raiders: Grade: B: When you get Darren McFadden, it's hard to give the Raiders a bad grade, but the fact their next pick didn't come until the 4th round did not help them, but in the 4th they picked up a fast WR in Ahman Shields and a good CB in Tyvon Branch.
3. Chiefs: Grade: A+: Holy Tacos, Batman. Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, and Brandon Flowers? That is called the rebuilding process of a team right there. Grant it, they do have the most picks in the draft; either way they made excellent use with them. Picking up Jamaal Charles is good for them too.
4. Steelers: Grade: B+: Wow. Mendenhall fell all the way to the Steelers at #23? Not many people saw that one coming, they definitely capitalized on getting a power back that accompanies Willie Parker. And then, they pick up Limas Sweed (who we should have picked up) at #53. They got a back that fits their system, and a great #2 option at WR?
5. Patriots: Grade: B: They filled their need at LB with Jerod Mayo at #10 and with Shawn Crable in the 3rd round. Terrance Wheatley also helps their depleted secondary in the 2nd round.
1(12): Ryan Clady/OT - Boise State Draft Grade: A- Notes: With Matt Lepsis retired and our O-Line depleted, Ryan Clady is a big OT that fits our zone-blocking scheme fairly well. We didn't have many options at 12 and OL was our biggest need coming into the draft. Good, safe pick. Who Denver should have picked: Ryan Clady
2(42) Eddie Royal/WR -Virginia Tech Draft Grade: D+ Notes: Really? Picking Eddie Royal was a mediocre pick at best. We decided to take this guy over Malcolm Kelly and Limas Sweed (and DeSean Jackson, but many think he isn't big enough anyways). If we weren't going to take DeSean Jackson because of his size, then why take another WR who is only 10 lbs heavier than Jackson? We needed a big WR to help stretch the field who could be a deep threat, which would be Malcolm Kelly or Limas Sweed. I don't see the logic in Eddie Royal, if we wanted a WR, Sweed or Kelly hands down; if we wanted a KR/PR, then Jackson is the pick hands down.Who Denver should have picked: Limas Sweed/WR -Texas
4(108) Kory Lichtensteiger/OG-Bowling Green Draft Grade: B+ Notes: It's a nice pick. A good 4 year starter in college that is a pretty smart player. Having those 4 years of starting really helps us on Day-1 instead of having only 2 years or so of starting experience like some other O-Linemen have had in this draft this late in the rounds. I didn't predict Denver to get him, although who really does this late in the draft?
Who Denver should have picked: Kory Lichtensteiger, it's a good pick for the o-line.4(119) Jack Williams/CB-Kent State Draft Grade: B Notes: I'm not going to lie, I had never heard of this guy before today (well, I remember seeing him watching the NFL combine, but it's not like I've been his #1 fan or anything). He's an athletic Corner, which is good considering Champ Bailey and Dre Bly aren't exactly young-guns anymore. He gives nice depth at the CB position behind Foxworth.Who Denver should have picked: Jack Williams (we need depth at CB, so I won't argue against this pick)
5(139) Ryan Torain/RB- Arizona StateDraft Grade: B- Notes: He's a short yardage back; shows some similarities with ex-Bronco Mike Anderson. Can help us somewhat, although I thought we could have taken a DT here instead.Who Denver should have picked: Frank Okam/DT-Texas
5(148) Carlton Powell/DT-Virginia TechDraft Grade: B- Notes: He was a 3 year starter, which is somewhat rare coming late in the draft, so that helps him stand out over other possibile draftees. He's not exactly great physically, but can be productive.Who Denver should have picked: Frank Okam or Mike Hart/RB-Michigan
6(183) Spencer Larsen/LB-ArizonaDraft Grade: B+ Notes: It seemed kind of late in the draft to begin addressing the needs at LB, but still a decent pick considering we had already addressed the needs at OL, WR, DT, and CB. Larsen doesn't have the 40 time that is desired, but fills gaps nicely.Who Denver should have picked: Spencer Larsen was a good pick here.
7(227) Peyton Hillis/FB-ArkansasDraft Grade: A Notes: Behind Charger draftee Jacob Hester, a lot of people said Hillis was the next best FB in this year's draft. He can catch passes out of the backfield and has great speed for a FB, but lead blocking might be a concern. I like the pick.Who Denver should have picked: We're lucky that Hillis slipped this far, nice pick Denver.
*updated Eddie Royal's draft grade to D+, just so people aren't thinking that I think Eddie Royal sucks. He has okay talent, but the decision to take him was a F, but i'll change it to D+ so people don't get to thinking I think he will be absolutely nothing in the NFL.
Our draft compared to our rivals and other AFC teams:
1. Chargers: Grade: B-:They only had one pick on Day 1, but the addressed their need in the secondary with Antoine Cason.
2. Raiders: Grade: B: When you get Darren McFadden, it's hard to give the Raiders a bad grade, but the fact their next pick didn't come until the 4th round did not help them, but in the 4th they picked up a fast WR in Ahman Shields and a good CB in Tyvon Branch.
3. Chiefs: Grade: A+: Holy Tacos, Batman. Glenn Dorsey, Branden Albert, and Brandon Flowers? That is called the rebuilding process of a team right there. Grant it, they do have the most picks in the draft; either way they made excellent use with them. Picking up Jamaal Charles is good for them too.
4. Steelers: Grade: B+: Wow. Mendenhall fell all the way to the Steelers at #23? Not many people saw that one coming, they definitely capitalized on getting a power back that accompanies Willie Parker. And then, they pick up Limas Sweed (who we should have picked up) at #53. They got a back that fits their system, and a great #2 option at WR?
5. Patriots: Grade: B: They filled their need at LB with Jerod Mayo at #10 and with Shawn Crable in the 3rd round. Terrance Wheatley also helps their depleted secondary in the 2nd round.
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