NFL Draft Review: AFC West

Denver Broncos

Notable Selections: OG Zane Beadles, WR Eric Decker, OT Orlando Franklin, DE Von Miller, QB Tim Tebow, & WR Demaryius Thomas

Recap: The Broncos drafted three starting offensive lineman from 09-11. Perhaps this explains Peyton Manning?s decision to sign with them. Then again, maybe it was the additions of Decker and Thomas, though this is a make or break year for both. Despite the core of young offensive players, it?s hard to ignore the elephant in the room. Selecting Tebow is nothing short of a disaster for the franchise. Yes, they did win a division title with him, albeit it was an eight-win season. He?s not with the team anymore and the Broncos only received a fourth-round pick for trading him. That?s terrible value.

2012 Selection: DT Derek Wolfe, QB Brock Osweiler, RB Ronnie Hillman, CB Omar Bolden, C Philip Blake, DE Malik Jackson, & LB Danny Trevathan

Outlook: It?s still very early in John Elway?s tenure as Denver?s executive vice president, so it?s hard to get a read on where the franchise is heading. They hit a homerun with Miller in last year?s draft, but this year, they didn?t position themselves to land an impact player. Wolfe will get an opportunity to replace Brodrick Bunkley, but selecting Osweiler is a bit of an eyebrow raiser. You acquire Manning with the mindset of winning immediately, but Osweiler isn?t going to see the field, so that selection goes against the very logic of acquiring Manning. Alternatively, if Osweiler replaces Manning, as Aaron Rodgers did Brett Favre, then this draft class is a resounding success. A lot has to fall in place for that to happen, though.

Kansas City Chiefs

Notable Selections: S Eric Berry, LB Justin Houston & DE Tyson Jackson

Recap: Kansas City hasn?t won a playoff game since Joe Montana was their quarterback, so this fan base is desperate for wins. GM Scott Pioli?s provided mixed results, unfortunately. The team obviously needs to draft better, though injuries have held certain players back, especially Berry, who looked like he was on the verge of stardom after a solid rookie campaign. He basically missed all of last year. Interesting enough, Pioli came from New England, where they placed an emphasis on drafting front seven players and offensive lineman with their first-round pick. However, Pioli?s drafted Berry and WR Jonathan Baldwin with his first pick in two of his four drafts.

2012 Selections: DT Dontari Poe, OT Jeff Allen, OT Donald Stephenson, WR Devon Wylie, CB DeQuan Menzie, RB Cyrus Gray, DT Jerome Long, & WR Junior Hemingway

Outlook: The Chiefs got back to the basics. They finally found a nose tackle, which is a vital position if you?re running a 3-4. They also landed a couple of offensive linemen. Allen is an especially good fit in Kansa City. He?s a real meat and potatoes kind of player, who could come in and compete for a starting job. Maybe Pioli?s board just fell a certain way, but this draft is reminiscence of New England?s drafting in the early to mid 2000s, when the Pats would target big men in round one. It?s foolish to suggest any of these players are Vince Wilfork or Logan Mankins, but you can clearly see Kansas City prioritized their trenches this time around.

Oakland Raiders

Notable Selections: WR Darius Heyward-Bey, DT Lamarr Houston, LB Rolando McClain, OT Jared Veldheer, & C Stefen Wisniewski

Recap: Oakland became somewhat of a punch line in draft circles over the last decade. Many of their picks were controversial and panned by national pundits. However, recently you can see a noticeable improvement in several of their selections. Still, it?s hard to ignore former head coach Hue Jackson?s decision to part with first and second-round picks for QB Carson Palmer. That deal may be a bigger roadblock for the Raiders than any of their AFC West counterparts.

2012 Selections: OG Tony Bergstrom, LB Miles Burris, DE Jack Crawford, WR Juron Criner, DT Christo Bilukidi, & LB Nathan Stupar

Outlook: Four of Oakland?s six selections were front seven players. None of these players expect to single handily turn around the defense, but you can see an immediate improvement in depth. Without a first or second-round pick, that?s about all you can hope to accomplish. New GM Reggie McKenzie comes from Green Bay?s front office. There he watched Ron Wolf, Mike Sherman, and Ted Thompson build one of the most successful organizations of the last two decades. For the sake of Raider fans, they had better hope more of Wolf and Thompson rubbed off on McKenzie rather than Sherman. The latter actually drafted a punter in round three. He traded up, too.

San Diego Chargers

Notable Selections: LB Donald Butler, LB Larry English, DT Vaughn Martin, & RB Ryan Mathews,

Recap: The clock is ticking on GM A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner. They?re rumors of change coming to San Diego every year, though the duo has survived this long. Nonetheless, they need more out of their recent drafts. The ?11 class remains under evaluation and it?s encouraging that seven of their eight picks made the roster a year ago, but it doesn?t solve their biggest problem. They simply lack a game-changer from 09-11. Perhaps it?s Mathews, who played well last year, but injuries have been a problem. If the Chargers are going to go somewhere next season, Mathews will need to make major strides.

2012 Selections: LB Melvin Ingram, DT Kendall Reyes, S Brandon Taylor, TE Ladarius Green, OG Johnnie Troutman, C David Molk, & RB Edwin Baker

Outlook: The more you see of Ingram and the more you like. That?s the good news. However, Smith also drafted LB Larry English, so his judgment on pass rushers does come with its baggage. Adding Reyes with his second choice certainly helps San Diego?s defensive line and I like his final two selections. Baker?s underrated as a seventh rounder and Molk just plays football. He may not have a great appearance, but he?ll make the team as a backup. Most organizations want a positive long-term outlook from their draft. The Chargers need short-term success. Otherwise, Smith and Turner may be looking for work a year from now.

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