2009 NFL Draft Report Card-AFC West

Denver Broncos

Round 1 #12 RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
Round 1 #18 DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee
Round 2 #37 CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
Round 2 #48 S Darcel McBath, Texas Tech
Round 2 #64 TE Richard Quinn, North Carolina
Round 4 #114 S David Bruton, Notre Dame
Round 4 #132 OL Seth Olsen, Iowa
Round 5 #141 WR Kenny McKinley, South Carolina
Round 6 #174 QB Tom Brandstater, Fresno State
Round 7 #225 C Blake Schlueter, TCU

Overall Grade: C

Fantasy Outlook: Denver had a very respectable draft, but when they traded away their franchise quarterback in Jake Cutler in exchange for draft picks, they lost their right to earn a high grade.  Knowshon Moreno has a great chance to keep the rich running back tradition alive in Denver. Moreno is fully capable of racking up quadruple figures in rushing yards, and he warrants strong fantasy consideration in most leagues.  Robert Ayers and Alphonso Smith should be starters on a very serviceable fantasy defense. 

Kansas City Chiefs

Round 1 #3 DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
Round 3 #67 DE Alex Magee, Purdue
Round 4 #102 CB Donald Washington, Ohio State
Round 5 #139 OT Collin Brown, Missouri
Round 6 #175 WR Quentin Lawrence, McNeese State
Round 7 #212 RB Javarris Williams, Tennessee State
Round 7 #237 TE Jake O’ Connell, Miami (Ohio)
Round 7 #256 K Ryan Succop, South Carolina

Overall Grade: B-

Fantasy Outlook: The Chiefs were on a mission to improve their defense.  They addressed that side of the ball on their first three picks when they took Tyson Jackson, Alex Magee, and Donald Washington.  Jackson may have been a bit of a reach at the third pick, but he is talented enough to live up to that selection.   However, the defense of Kansas City doesn’t warrant much fantasy consideration until they prove otherwise.  Javarris Williams has good size and underrated speed at running back, and in a couple years he has the talent to make some noise in fantasy. 

Oakland Raiders

Round 1 #7 WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
Round 2 #47 S Michael Mitchell, Ohio
Round 3 #71 DL Matt Shaugnessy, Wisconsin
Round 4 #124 WR Louis Murphy, Florida
Round 4 #126 LB Slade Norris, Oregon State
Round 6 #199 DL Stryker Sulak, Missouri
Round 6 #202 TE Brandon Myers, Iowa

Overall Grade: C-

Fantasy Outlook: Oakland operates the draft with their own set of rules, namely selecting speed no matter where the player is slotted to be picked.  Darrius Heyward-Bey was projected by many as the third best receiver coming out of the draft, yet the Raiders took him with their seventh overall pick.  Whether or not that was a reach, Heyward-Bey has the skills to be a very good pro.  However, his fantasy value is also a bit of a reach as he doesn’t have a reliable quarterback to get him the ball.  Michael Mitchell was also drafted well before where “experts” had him slated.  Mitchell gives a lower tier fantasy defense a playmaker on that side of the ball. 

San Diego Chargers

Round 1 #16 DE Larry English, Northern Illinois
Round 3 #78 OL Louis Vasquez, Texas Tech
Round 4 #113 DT Vaughn Martin, Western Ontario
Round 4 #133 NT Tyronne Greene, Auburn
Round 4 #134 RB Gartrell Johnson, Colorado State
Round 5 #148 CB Brandon Hughes, Oregon State
Round 6 #189 S Kevin Ellison, USC
Round 7 #224 WR Demetrius Byrd, LSU

Overall Grade: B+

Fantasy Outlook: The Chargers also went in with a plan to get better on defense. In fact, three out of their first four picks were on that side of the ball.  Larry English is a beast at stopping the run and instantly makes San Diego better as he also has the ability to rush the passer.  The Lightning Bolts are still an upper echelon fantasy defense.  Louis Vasquez, should get an opportunity to start somewhere on the offensive line, and he is skilled enough to help keep Phillip Rivers’ jersey clean.