ONE MORE DIVISION TO GO! It’s time to hand out 2020 NFL Draft grades to the AFC West teams. Boy, did this division get interesting? The Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs, and Chargers all made interesting moves. Let’s get right to it. Here are your 2020 NFL Draft grades for the AFC West.
Denver Broncos: Grade A+
- Round 1, Pick No. 15: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
- Round 2, Pick No. 46: K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
- Round 3, Pick No. 77: Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa
- Round 3, Pick No. 83: Lloyd Cushenberry, C, LSU
- Round 3, Pick No. 95: McTelvin Agim, DT, Arkansas
- Round 4, Pick No. 118: Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri
- Round 5, Pick No. 178: Justin Strnad, OLB, Wake Forest
- Round 6, Pick No. 181: Netane Muti, G, Fresno State
- Round 7, Pick No. 252: Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Florida
- Round 7, Pick No. 254: Derrek Tuszka, DE, North Dakota State
This has to be my favorite draft John Elway has ever done. Elway hit this one out of the park and Drew Lock should be a very happy man. Talk about the weapons Lock has now. Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, and his former teammate at tight end. This offense is explosive and fits perfectly. Add in Courtland Sutton and we’re really talking.
John Elway didn’t stop there. Adding Lloyd Cushenberry in the 3rd who could end up being the best center. Netane Muti I absolutely love. We have been bragging up McTelvin Agim on The Lead Word for awhile. Even the 7th round picks are great fliers. Derrek Tuszka could be the Maxx Crosby of this draft.
The only pick I’m questionable on is the Iowa. Other than that, what a draft, man.
Kansas City Chiefs: B+
- Round 1, Pick No. 32: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- Round 2, Pick No. 63: Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
- Round 3, Pick No. 96: Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
- Round 4, Pick No. 138: L’Jarius Sneed, DB, Louisiana Tech
- Round 5, Pick No. 177: Mike Danna, DE, Michigan
- Round 7, Pick No. 237: Thakarius Keyes, CB, Tulane
The only thing keeping this from an A was the limited number of picks. Plus, it’s hard to come away with a ton at 32. The first two picks, I think the Chiefs hit it out of the park.
Round one went towards Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He will now be referred to as Brian Westbrook 2.0. Kansas City thinks CEH is better and I probably agree. He’s perfect for this offense. It was really the one piece this offense was missing. How can you defend everybody in this passing game?
Willie Gay gives the Chiefs what they were really missing. Anthony Hitchens blows. Willie Gay is an athletic linebacker who brings speed and range to this defense. It was a huge need and Gay has a big time ceiling.
The rest of the draft was mostly meh. Lucas Niang is a developmental swing tackle. L’Jarius might be something but he needs to contribute right away. This cornerback room is THIN.
Los Angeles Chargers: Grade F
- Round 1, Pick No. 6: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
- Round 1, Pick No. 23: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
- Round 4, Pick No. 112: Joshua Kelley, RB, UCLA
- Round 5, Pick No. 151: Joe Reed, WR, Virginia
- Round 6, Pick No. 186: Alohi Gilman, S, Notre Dame
- Round 7, Pick No. 220: K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
When you miss at quarterback, it’s a 5 year mistake. Go ask the Bears. I’m not saying Justin Herbert is Mitch Trubisky but I don’t know how Tom Telesco can sleep at night. I compared Herbert to poor man Josh Allen. If that’s the case, this draft is an F. They set themselves up for 5 years they have no chance to win a championship. It could be 10-15 if Herbert pulls a Derek Carr and is just good enough to get an extension but never win a playoff game.
The Chargers did have two picks I really liked. Kenneth Murray should make a big impact at linebacker. He can spearhead the middle of the defense. With that defensive front, Murray can really wreck havoc. The other was KJ Hill. Not the fastest guy in the world but can win in the slot.
After that is was just OK. I assume they just wanted a Drue Tranquill clone with Alohi Gilman. I’m not sure they’re any different. Joe Reed is a kick returner. I would bet that Justin Jackson is better than Joshua Kelly.
Las Vegas Raiders: Grade D
- Round 1, Pick No. 12: Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
- Round 1, Pick No. 19: Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
- Round 3, Pick No. 80: Lynn Bowden, RB/WR, Kentucky
- Round 3, Pick No. 81: Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
- Round 3, Pick No. 100: Tanner Muse, LB, Clemson
- Round 4, Pick No. 109: John Simpson, G, Clemson
- Round 4, Pick No. 139: Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
Mike Mayock is such a puppet. That guy has no power. Jon Gruden just does whatever he wants. Let’s take two Clemson guys and 3 wide receivers with the first 4 picks. I didn’t like the draft they had last year (I don’t care what you say, that wasn’t a good draft) and I don’t love the draft this year.
Al Davis was using his ouiji board for the Henry Ruggs III pick. Ruggs might be a solid pick but I don’t love passing on Jeudy or Lamb to pick him. What if he’s John Ross! Ruggs has some risk to him.
The Damon Arnette pick was ridiculous. He wasn’t even on some draft boards because of character. This felt like a panic pick. The Falcons reach for AJ Terrell. They really wanted the Clemson guy so let’s turn it into a hold my beer moment. Don’t get it. That can’t be your Khalil Mack pick. Trade down or make better use of it.
Lynn Bowden was a wildcat quarterback at Kentucky. Time will tell how they use him. I don’t mind that gamble. Nor do I mind the Bryan Edwards or Amik Robertson pick. I think both of those guys can play. The Tanner Muse thing was laughable. You can’t pick special teams guys in the third round.
The Raiders dropped an obvious tier below Denver after this draft.
