AFC West Draft Grades

Today, we wrap up the AFC portion of the draft with a recap of the AFC West.

Denver Broncos
1(31) Bradley Roby (CB, Ohio State)
2(56) Cody Latimer (WR, Indiana)
3(95) Michael Schofield (OT, Michigan)
5(156) Lamin Barrow (OLB, LSU)
6(207) Matthew Paradis (C, Boise State)
7(242) Corey Nelson (OLB, Oklahoma)

Best Pick: Lamin Barrow

Most people would go with Roby because of the fit for the Broncos defense. However, Roby has gotten destroyed against good competition in his career and I believe he will flop. Wisconsin tore Roby a new one in that game this past year. Therefore, I pick the one guy who I think will eventually be a starter.Picking Barrow in Round 5 is tremendous value as he is a guy that can start as a WILL linebacker in a 3-4 defense right now. The only problem with that is that the Broncos employ a 4-3 defense. Although he doesn't fit as well in the 4-3 he still holds great value in this round though. His speed is what sets him apart from some other at the position. This guy will be a quality player for a while.

Grade: D+

Summary: You'd like to get a few starters out of each draft. As I said, I don't see any quality starters for the future other than Barrow. Schofield could be as well, but I don't see it from the other guys. The one thing I will say is that the Broncos drafted positions of need which helps their grade to a D+. Otherwise, I would probably give this draft a D-. Not many impact players if any in the Broncos group. From a loaded draft, this club did not pick up much. Latimer was a major reach in my opinion. However, lucky for him he gets to play with Peyton Manning and get some very inflated stats because of it.

Undrafted Free Agents
Kenny Anunike (DE, Duke)
Shaquil Barrett (OLB, Colorado State)
Kapri Bibbs (RB, Colorado State)
Isiah Burse (WR, Fresno State)
Steven Clark (P, Auburn)
Brennan Clay (RB, Oklahoma)
Mister Cobble (DT, Kentucky)
Bennie Fowler (WR, Michigan State)
Greg Hardin (WR, North Dakota State)
Greg Latta (DE, Purdue)
Bryn Renner (QB, North Carolina)
Aslam Sterling (OT, Kansas)
Jordan Sullen (CB, Tulane)
Juwan Thompson (RB, Duke)
Louis Young (CB, Georgia Tech)

I love the Barrett pickup as Barrett definitely should have been drafted. Head-to-head against Alabama and Cyrus Kouandjo, Barrett picked up 1.5 sacks. He had 12 sacks on the season and is a very solid pass rusher. This was one of the better free agent pickups.
Bryn Renner has a lot of upside following his injury plagued 2014. He was considered by many to be the best QB in the ACC heading into the season.
I am a big fan of the Juwan Thompson pickup. He is a big back and the Broncos are small at this position. Thompson is a grinder and his 225 lb frame will do some damage in the Denver running game.
Louis Young is fast, but he can't tackle.
The other players are intriguing, but don't see any diamonds in the rough here.

Kansas City Chiefs
1(23) Dee Ford (DE, Auburn)
3(87) Phillip Gaines (CB, Rice)
4(124) De'Anthony Thomas (RB, Oregon)
5(163) Aaron Murray (QB, Georgia)
6(193) Zach Fulton (OG, Tennessee)
6(200) Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff (OT, McGill(Canada))

Best Pick: De'Anthony Thomas

This is one of the biggest reasons I said that you can wait for a runningback in the draft. The Oregon Ducks got who I believe is the most pro ready runningback in round 4 of the draft. He is the perfect complement/backup to Jamal Charles. Drafting Thomas allows the Chiefs to not put as much wear and tear on Charles and should keep Charles healthy. After losing McCluster, this was a big deal that the Chiefs got Thomas. De'Anthony Thomas can do everything McCluster did, but a bit faster. He will instantly be one of the fastest runningbacks in the NFL. If you look at the data, 40 yard time only positively correlates with one position and that is runningback. Drafting the fastest runningback makes a lot of sense for Kansas City.

Grade: C-

Summary: I like the Thomas pick a lot, but the Chiefs reached in other parts of the draft. Dee Ford will be a productive player and while most say that was a reach, I am ok with that pick. Picking the developmental Gaines in Round 3 was a reach. Aaron Murray should have been a 7th rounder or undrafted and he got picked in the 5th. Fulton is another guy I wouldn't have drafted. Admittedly, I know nothing about the kid from Canada. I've seen zero film. However, Mayock seems to like the guy. If he hits as a 6th rounder it changes the outlook of this draft a lot.

Undrafted Free Agents
James Baker (RB, Idaho)
Turvon Brandin (CB, Monmouth)
Stetson Burnett (OG, Tulsa)
Kenny Carter (DE, Auburn)
Joey Demartino (RB, Utah State)
Brandon Denmark (LB, Florida A & M)
Deron Furr (S, Fort Valley State)
Ben Gottschalk (OT, SMU)
Marcus Heit (LS, Kansas State)
Jon Jennings (QB, Saginaw Valley State)
Ben Johnson (LB, Tennessee-Martin)
Vincent Jones (C, Utah)
Cole Pensick (C, Nebraska)
Kacy Rogers (S, Miami)
Cairo Santos (PK, Tulane)
Kona Schwenke (DL, Notre Dame)
Daniel Sorenson (S, BYU)
Daryl Surgent (WR, Louisana-Lafayette)
David Van Dyke (DB, Tennessee State)
Charcandrick West (RB, Abilene Christian)
Albert Wilson (WR, Georgia State)

I'll be honest and say that out of every undrafted free agent group I know the least about these guys. Those guys I do know like, Kacy Rogers of Miami, do not impress me at all. On paper this group is not impressive. However, there may be a player in here that ends up being quite good.

Oakland Raiders
1(5) Khalil Mack (OLB, Buffalo)
2(36) Derek Carr (QB, Fresno State)
3(81) Gabe Jackson (OL, Mississippi State)
4(107) Justin Ellis (DT, Louisiana State)
4(116) Keith McGill (CB, Utah)
7(219) Travis Carrie (CB, Ohio)
7 (235) Shelby Harris (DE, Illinois State)
7(247) Jonathan Dowling (SS, Western Kentucky)

Best Pick: Khalil Mack

Everyone expected the Raiders to be the Raiders and do something like draft Johnny Manziel. However, the Raiders did the smart thing and drafted the best player available on their board in the 1st round. Mike Mayock said he will certainly be an all-pro and he definitely has that potential. I wouldn't say its a lock, but there isn't a safer pick in this draft than Mack other than Jake Matthews. This was a very smart pick that fills a huge need. Mack could easily turn into the leader and cornerstone of this defense.

Grade: B-

Summary: The Mack pick was smart and at least they waited until Round 2 to pick a QB. That being said, I am not a big fan of the QBs in this draft and a team like the Raiders need help elsewhere. I personally would have gone wide receiver in round 2 as the Raiders desperately need help there and there were several options available. Derek Carr could be good, but I just don't see it happening. The Raiders already have 3 QBs better than Carr will ever be in my opinion. Matt McGloin, Terrell Pryor, and Matt Schaub are all better than Derek Carr. It is possible I am wrong, but they need a receiver more. Who are all these QBs going to throw to? James Jones was a good signing and helps a bit and Moore is a solid starter, but they don't have much beyond that. They could be counting on undrafted rookie Mike Davis in the slot. Other than the Carr pick, I love what the Raiders did. Gabe Jackson was great value in round 3 and I look for him to be an instant starter.

Undrafted Free Agents
George Atkinson III (RB, Notre Dame)
DJ Coles (WR, Virginia Tech)
Mike Davis (WR, Texas)
Carlos Fields Jr. (LB, Winston-Salem State)
Danny Kistler (OT, Montana)
Rob Smith (DT, Jackson State)
Karl Williams (FB, Utah)
Jake Murphy (TE, Utah)
Noel Grigsby (WR, San Jose State)
Scott Simonson (TE, Florida International)

Mike Davis is the best of this group and he should have been drafted. Again, players like this not being picked is why Texas had nobody drafted. It wasn't for lack of quality. Davis has sub 4.5 speed and could develop into a quality slot receiver in the pros. I see him as a quality #3 for some team down the line. A better QB in college has this guy drafted in the 3rd round.
The other players are pretty good quality for undrafted free agents. Adding these guys for competition was a wise move.

San Diego Chargers
1(25) Jason Verrett (CB, TCU)
2(50) Jeremiah Attaochu (OLB, Georgia Tech)
3(89) Chris Watt (OG, Notre Dame)
5(165) Ryan Carrethers (NT, Arkansas State)
6(201) Marion Grace (RB, Arizona State)
7(240) Tevin Reese (WR, Baylor)

Best Pick: Jeremiah Attaochu

The way the draft was falling the Chargers knew they had to move up in Round 2 to get Attaochu and they will be sure glad they did. I rarely like trading up, but it was smart in the Chargers case who want instant starters and to make a real run. Attaochu is one of the best 3-4 outside linebackers in this draft and he is a brilliant scheme fit for San Diego. He is a 1st round talent that is solid rushing the passer and defending the pass. Great pick for San Diego. Do not be surprised if Attaochu challenges Calvin Pryor for defensive rookie of the year.

Grade: B

Summary: The San Diego Chargers had an above average draft. Nothing really newsworthy besides the Attaochu selection, but they got solid players throughout. In Verrett and Attaochu they got two instant starters that help out a great deal. Much like the Raiders though they waited a bit too long to get a WR. This team could really use a good complement to Keenan Allen and Tevin Reese just doesn't cut it for me. Reese is fast, but I just don't see it. Their first three picks were more A- quality, but the talent they got on day 3 dropped them to a B. There is not much there for their day 3 picks.

Undrafted Free Agents
DJ Adams (RB, Portland State)
Torrence Allen (WR, West Texas A&M)
Brelan Chancellor (WR, North Texas)
Alden Darby (S, Arizona State)
Chris Davis (CB, Auburn)
Greg Ducre (CB, Washington)
Michael Flacco (TE, New Hampshire)
Micah Hartfield (WR, Oregon State)
Javontee Herndon (WR, Arkansas)
DJ Johnson (OG, New Mexico)
Tenny Palepoi (DT, Utah)
Alvin Scioneaux (OLB, Wofford)
Jeremiah Sirles (OT, Nebraska)
Chase Tenpenny (P, Nevada)
Ricky Tjong-a-Tjoe (DT, Boise State)
Colton Underwood (DE, Illinois State)
Ian White (OL, Boston College)

It is hard to find a better group of undrafted free agents than what the Chargers pulled off. Every one of their signings can compete for a roster spot. The best signing was Iron Bowl hero Chris Davis as he will almost certainly make the team. Several other players are notable though. The tight end Michael Flacco is the younger brother of Ravens QB Joe. Ian White is incredibly versatile on the offensive line and has played a lot of guard and tackle in the past. Several others DBs that were signed are high quality. Nice job by San Diego here.

-Noland

Most Overrated Athletes In the NFL

Some of these were a lot tougher than others, but all of these players are not quite as good as advertised.

Quarterback
Carson Palmer               Arizona Cardinals
Carson Palmer had mild success in Cincinnati and the team got much better after he left. At the time he was considered the 3rd best QB in the league which was and still is a complete joke. This guy was never a top QB and was never the answer, but teams keep giving him a shot. After failing to bring success to the Raiders, Palmer's newest victim is the Arizona Cardinals. He just threw another interception as I wrote this also.


Runningback
Reggie Bush                   Detroit Lions
Reggie Bush is the most overrated prospect of all-time. I will never forget how much nonsense the Texans got for passing on this guy for a much better football player. Reggie Bush is electrifying, but his skillset is limited. He has to be used the right way to be effective and he is very replaceable. Far from the game changer he was pumped up to be and still is pumped up to be by many.

Wide Receiver
Dez Bryant                     Dallas Cowboys
Roddy White                  Atlanta Falcons
Percy Harvin                  Seattle Seahawks
Dez Bryant is a great receiver, but some consider him the #2 receiver in the game. He was also ranked as the 35th best player in the entire league which is a joke. Good football player, but not elite like he is made out to be. Call me when he does something in the playoffs, if the Cowboys ever make it there.
Roddy White might be the biggest idiot in the NFL. His most recent offense was saying an entire jury should kill themselves. Seriously where does this guy get off telling another human to take their life. Roddy White is credited by many as being the top threat in Atlanta's passing game, but he isn't. Julio Jones and even Tony Gonzalez at times create far bigger matchup problems than White. He is good, but again not elite. Having Matt Ryan definitely helps Roddy out too.
Percy Harvin may be the most overrated player I can remember. He is supposed to be this amazing gamebreaker, but can't stay on the field. Now for the Seahawks, Harvin is again hurt. He has to produce before he can be the difference maker that he is made out to be. He does not make the Seahawks the favorite.





Tight End
Jason Witten                   Dallas Cowboys
I wrote a detailed piece just on Witten a few days ago. Click on the Jason Witten tab at the bottom of this post if you want to read it.

Offensive Tackle
Russell Okung                 Seattle Seahawks
D'Brickashaw Ferguson   New York Jets
Russell Okung made the Pro Bowl, but he wasn't on the field every game again this year. This guy should have to be on the field to make a Pro Bowl. Okung was named a starter over Trent Williams in the Pro Bowl even though Williams is a much better player. Donald Penn is also better than Okung.
D'Brickashaw is considered by some the best Jets player and one of the best tackles in the game. Ferguson is neither of those and until Jake Long left could be considered the weakest starting tackle in the AFC East.


Guard
Maurice Pouncey             Miami Dolphins
Richie Incognito               Miami Dolphins
Richie Incognito made the Pro Bowl somehow need I say more.
Much like his brother Maurice Pouncey has a reputation for being an amazing lineman. He is good, but not great. More than that he obviously is not the brightest as evidenced by the picture to the right.

Center
Maurkice Pouncey            Pittsburgh Steelers
See the write-up for his brother Maurice.

Defensive Tackle
Geno Atkins                     Cincinnati Bengals
Jay Ratliff                          Dallas Cowboys
Geno Atkins is considered by some the best defensive tackle in football. However, if you have been following Atkins during his career, he just is not as good as some others. I just saw video of him getting destroyed by Jermaine Gresham in training camp also. Gresham is a tight end and shouldn't be able to destroy an elite tackle like that. The fact that some consider him better than Ngata is enough to make him overrated in my opinion though.
Jay Ratliff once made a Pro Bowl over BJ Raji. Has there ever been a bigger Pro Bowl snub?

Defensive End
Jason Babin                       Jacksonville Jaguars
Jason Pierre-Paul               New York Giants
Jason Babin was at one point considered a top DE in the NFL. Seriously? The Eagles wised up and cut him last year, but the fact that this guy got that deal and was considered one of the best DE's in football was a joke.
Jason Pierre-Paul is considered a top 5 DE, but why? He is not that good and shouldn't be as high as he is in the top 100.

Linebacker
Justin Houston  and Tambi Hali          
Kansas City Chiefs
Stephen Tulloch              
Detroit Lions
The Kansas City Chiefs had three Pro Bowl linebackers last year. Are you serious? A team with 2 wins had three players from the same unit in the Pro Bowl. Two of these players made the Top 100. I left one of these off because I wanted to include Stephen Tulloch on my overrated list, but this unit is the most overrated group in football. Especially Justin Houston.

Stephen Tulloch was ranked the #51 player in all of football. Tulloch affected the game so much that he never seems to make an impact. The guy doesn't impact the game as much as Kuechley despite a much better defensive line, but somehow he is rated as a better player than the Panthers middle linebacker. He is rated better than every inside linebacker not named Patrick Willis. That is a crime.

Corner
Prince Amukamara               New York Giants
Richard Sherman                  Seattle Seahawks
Prince was supposed to help the Giants secondary return to the Super Bowl. Instead, he was part of the weakest unit on the team. The Giants secondary, especially Amukamara was the reason the team failed to make the playoffs. Amukamara got burned far too often and hopes not to be the Giants' Achilles' Heel this year.
Richard Sherman is considered the best corner in football by many, but quarterbacks challenge Sherman for a reason. They don't do the same with guys like Revis. The true shutdown corners in football. Sherman also tested positive for PEDs and blamed the tester, now where have we seen that before?

Safety
Troy Polamalu                      Pittsburgh Steelers
Eric Berry                             Kansas City Chiefs
At one time, I considered Troy Polamalu the best player in all of football. I still respect Polamalu as a football player. However, I have to be honest and he isn't the same player. He no longer is a top 100 player in this league. Polamalu is still a fantastic football player, but he shouldn't be a Pro Bowler and he shouldn't be a top 100 guy. He's lost a step and just isn't the same guy that dominated the game every snap.
Eric Berry is not the best safety in football. I am told that he is constantly, but it isn't true. He is a good player, but he isn't the best. How could the Chiefs go 2-14 if they have multiple guys that are the best at their positions. This must be the best 2-14 team in NFL history. Yes, their QB situation was awful, but the Chiefs have a lot of overrated players. The only Chiefs player more overrated than Berry is Justin Houston.

-Noland

Former NFL Receiver Charged With Attempted Murder

I don't know what possesses anyone to make poor decisions like this, but former NFL receiver Bobby Sippio was recently charged with murder. Sippio is not the most famous football player, but he did play for 13 teams in 4 different leagues. He is also the cousin of more famous receiver Dwayne Bowe. In the NFL, Sippio played for the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Kansas City Chiefs. The receiver even played for the local Tampa Bay Storm. Sippio also played for the Chicago Slaughter, a name he took a little too far. What a shame this story is.

He was arrested along with friend Santana Coates for attempted murder, aggravated battery, armed robbery, and kidnapping. They were attempting to kill Sergio Moore, who was Sippio's girlfriend's brother. Apparently, Moore was kidnapped repeatedly kicked and beaten while having a gun pointed at him the entire time.

Now at least we know that Bobby Sippio is a scumbag and will be locked up for a very long time.

-Noland