The usual rallying cry rings out once again, "This is the Chargers' division to lose." The Raiders and Chiefs will be better but not ready to challenge at any elite level. The Broncos probably took a step back losing Brandon Marshall and drafting Tim Tebow. The question is now whether or not the Chargers have done enough to put them over the hump and into the Super Bowl.
Denver Broncos
This was a very high profile draft, yet as Broncos fans will find out, for all the wrong reasons. They could have landed Dez Bryant, who I think will be great, and Jimmy Clausen, a future star in this league. Instead they get Demaryius Thomas who is raw and may turn into a special player but just as likely will be just another athlete that can't put the whole package together. And then they trade up to grab Tebow who will never be a quarterback in this league. Take Alex Smith's (another Urban Meyer coached quarterback) struggles adjusting to an NFL offense and add a bad release, sporadic accuracy, and a tendency to rely on running rather than passing, and you have Tim Tebow. Smith struggled mightily despite having a great arm, a natural passing motion, and being regarded as the most accurate passer in his draft. Tebow has an awful throwing motion, is not a natural passer, and benefitted from having unbelievable talent around him at Florida. I like the pick of Zane Beadles who will be a solid lineman at whatever position he plays, adding depth to one of the best offensive lines in football. Eric Decker is a strong wideout that runs good routes and has great hands. Perrish Cox was intitially projected to go in the first two rounds and they get him in the fifth so a good value there. The back end of this draft is much better than the top end, but ultimately this draft will be defined by the failure of Tim Tebow.
Kansas City Chiefs
5.11 Sheffield, Cameron, DE, Troy
Love this draft. Berry should be a Pro Bowler early in his career. Dexter McCluster is a do-everything back that can impact a game in so many ways and manufacture points for an offense. Javier Arenas is a good cover man and an excellent returner. McCluster and Arenas, both good returnmen, will help a poor offense by shortening the field and perhaps scoring some touchdowns on their own. This is the former stomping grounds of dynamite Dante Hall. Moeaki is a very nice, well-rounded tight end. This team still has a long way to go, but if former top-five draft picks Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson can put any sort of return on their investment, they could form a nice young core with Berry.
Oakland Raiders
5.07 McFadden, Walter, DB, Auburn
6.21 Goethel, Travis, LB, Arizona St.
7.08 Ware, Jeremy, DB, Michigan St.
7.44 Brown, Stevie, DB, Michigan
I think given the annual expectation of what Al Davis will do come draft day, you have to like this draft. McClain is an immediate impact defender; add Lamarr Houston and this is a growing front seven anchored by the wily vet Richard Seymour. Nnamdi Asomugha taking away half of the field doesn't hurt matters either. Offensively, Jason Campbell is an enormous upgrade at QB and he has always been given too hard a time in Washington. In Oakland, if he is fully given the chance, he could thrive. He comes to a fresh setting where he will be the elder statesman of the offense, and the pressure will be less because playing for a rebuilding Oakland team does not have nearly the expectations as playing for the Washington Redskins in the not-for-the-faint-of-heart NFC East. Zach Miller is a nice tight end and Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, and Michael Bush form a very talented running back trio. Derrius Heyward-Bey can burn and if he can learn the position, could be dangerous. They add two linemen with big potential in the third and fourth rounds to help protect Campbell. Jacoby Ford was the fastest player in the draft, like Heyward-Bey a year ago, but who knows how good of a player he actually is, again like Heyward-Bey. With some luck, this team could win between seven and nine games in a weak division.
San Diego Chargers
This is a team that has been one layer away for three years now. The problem is that the defense is getting worse. Jamal Williams is gone to division rival Denver, Antonio Cromartie is gone, and Shawne Merriman has not been the same player over the last couple of years. Still, on offense, look out. Ryan Mathews may have gone a little high, but was a projected top-20 pick, and any running back worthy of going that high can play. He has the skillset to justify his draft status, and when you pair him with Darren Sproles you can have a lethal backfield. Philip Rivers is a top-5 quarterback in this league, Antonio Gates is a great tight end, and Vincent Jackson is an emerging star at wideout if he plays. This team should roll over this division again, but I'm not sure they have the defense to finish the job in the postseason.
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