2014 NFL Draft Grades: AFC West

The Denver Broncos rolled through the AFC on their way to the conference championship before falling hard against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. Peyton Manning put up record numbers and the Broncos wanted to make sure he still has the weapons on offense to continue at his incredible pace. But the AFC West placed two other teams in the playoffs, as the Kansas City Chiefs completed a remarkable turnaround from 2-14 to 11-5, and the San Diego Chargers won their final four games to make the playoffs as the 6th seed. The Oakland Raiders finished in the cellar again but are looking to improve with the draft and having the 5th Overall selection. Denver Broncos: B Best Pick: Cody Latimer Late Round Sleeper: Corey Nelson Denver lost Eric Decker to the Jets in the offseason, but were able to find his replacement in Round 2 with the selection of Cody Latimer, the big receiver from Indiana who catches everything thrown his way. I'm sure Peyton Manning will find Latimer early and often in the upcoming season. First round pick Bradley Roby will move into a starting cornerback position, but he needs to rediscover his 2012 form if he is going to stay there. A late round sleeper pick could be Corey Nelson, who could get time on the field depending on the rehab of Von Miller and his ACL injury. Kansas City Chiefs: C+ Best Pick: De'Anthony Thomas Late Round Sleeper: Aaron Murray The Chiefs are looking to build on their success going into the second season under Andy Reid, but a need to find another playmaking wide receiver to compliment Dwayne Bowe wasn't to be found. First round pick Dee Ford will add to a dangerous pass rush, and third rounder Phillip Gaines adds depth to the secondary. De'Anthony Thomas will pick up the slack left by the departure of Dexter McCluster, and Aaron Murray could be a late round sleeper as the eventual replacement for Alex Smith. Oakland Raiders: A- Best Pick: Derek Carr Late Round Sleeper: Keith McGill It's not often when one of the best picks in the draft going #5 Overall isn't even the best pick for the team, but that happened to the Raiders. Khalil Mack looks like a sure fire hit as an outside linebacker, and second rounder Derek Carr looks to be the face of the franchise for years to come as the quarterback the Raiders have sought for a long time. Gabe Jackson was a steal in Round 3, and might start from the get-go for Oakland at guard. Keith McGill looks to be a late round sleeper at cornerback for a team that needs lots of help in the secondary. San Diego Chargers: A- Best Pick: Jason Verrett Late Round Sleeper: Ryan Carrethers San Diego got a late first round steal with Verrett, who would have been the first corner off the board if he were a little taller. But his speed and coverage skills are excellent, and he should be able to adapt to the pro game. Second Rounder Jeremiah Attachou is a raw talent, but he can be an outstanding pass rusher for the Chargers. Chris Watt is a tough, hard worker in the trenches and could move into the lineup at guard. A late round sleeper looks to be Ryan Carrethers, who could make his mark in the middle of the defensive line as a run stopper.

Twas The Night Before The NFL Draft

Twas The Night Before The NFL Draft And all around Radio City Music Hall The prospects began to gather Including Jadeveon Clowney and Johnny Football What many teams are looking for Is an offensive tackle to take There are plenty to choose from Including Cyrus, Greg, Taylor and Jake. Playmakers found on offense Must be more than looks The receivers are talented With Beckham, Benjamin, Lee and Cooks Teams are looking for hitters That can make the quarterback sack Attention will be paid To Anthony Barr, Ryan Shazier and Khalil Mack The big stoppers up front Have always been premium picks This year you have Aaron Donald Along with Tim Jernigan and Louis Nix. But at the top of the draft Fans will be on needles and pins To see if their team will select Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins. As always fans will want A quarterback who is ready Is it going to be Bortles, Carr, or a QB named Teddy. As the league passes it around The field more and more Corners like Gilbert, Dennard, Fuller and Verrett Will be picked to lower the score. Safeties are becoming stars Because teams are not taking a flier When they can find players as good As Ward, Clinton-Dix and Pryor. The big tight ends will be picked Throughout the draft we know With talents such as Eric Ebron And a pass catcher named Amaro. Tomorrow night the Commish Will start the show off right I wish the players all the best And to all a good night.

Trades to be Made: 2014 Edition

Every year, there are plenty of draft trades that are made. It doesn't matter if it is the first round or the last, deals can make or break a team on Draft Weekend, and I am starting to get the feeling that in 2014 the wheeling and dealing, or the possibility of the big trade, is going to be in the forefront of the upcoming draft weekend. Start at the top this year. The Houston Texans need a quarterback. I still say that Teddy Bridgewater is going to be the best of the bunch in this years crop, but it looks like their top targets are Blake Bortles and Johnny Manziel. But the best player in the draft is Jadaveon Clowney, the freakishly talented defensive end. But Houston already has J.J. Watt, and their question is 'Do we tandem the pass rush with Watt and Clowney, or do we take the quarterback who will get us back to the playoffs?' If the Texans are dead set on a quarterback, they need to look for a trading partner who will break the bank for Clowney. St. Louis already has Chris Long and Robert Quinn, so they are set at defensive end. Then there is Jacksonville. I have already written about how Gus Bradley is looking to build the Jaguars much the same way he former team, the Seattle Seahawks, were built. Defense, power running game, and an intelligent quarterback who doesn't make mistakes that costs you game. If Clowney is there at #3, Jacksonville will take him. But how much do they want him? I wonder if they might consider a trade up to #1, and hold onto their second round pick this year to get a quarterback they want. A.J. McCarron, Derek Carr and Zach Mettenberger come to mind who Jacksonville could target with that pick. But as good as Clowney looks to be, the Jaguars need to fill a lot of holes, so I don't see them as a top candidate to trade. Cleveland has the 4th Overall Selection, but they also have #26, which they received for Trent Richardson last season. But Cleveland needs a quarterback and a playmaking receiver. I have them taking Sammy Watkins at #4 and Derek Carr at #26. But if Teddy Bridgewater falls past #8, and the Browns did not take a quarterback at #4, they could be in trade mode themselves to move up and get a quarterback they covet. Cleveland made a big deal three years ago with Atlanta do that the Falcons could draft Julio Jones, but this year I don't see the Browns moving up to get Clowney. The Oakland Raiders could use a player like Clowney. They could also use a player like Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles, Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews, Khalil Mack and Sammy Watkins. Translation: The Raiders need a lot of help, and trading away a boatload of draft picks for Clowney doesn't make a lot of sense. But these are the Raiders. So who really knows what they are going to do. As I mentioned earlier, Atlanta made a blockbuster deal three years ago to move up from #27 to #6 and take Julio Jones. The Falcons are in the sixth position this year, after a season of one injury after another cost them any chance of success. Would they pull the trigger on another blockbuster deal and move up to #1 and get Clowney? I don't see it happening. They need help on the offensive line, and with Greg Robinson and Jake Matthews they have 1 and 1A to choose from. If they have their eye on defense, Khalil Mack might still be there. Atlanta sacrificed number ones to get Jones back in 2011, and it cost them with lack of depth last year. I don't see it happening this year with the Falcons. If the Houston Texans can't move out of #1, and they take a quarterback, the trade focus will be on the St. Louis Rams, who also have the #13 pick this year. They made their own big trade two years ago and hoarded picks from the Washington Redskins in the Robert Griffin III deal. Jeff Fisher has taken those picks and started to rebuild the Rams into a winner. But they need help on the offensive line, and they can get either Robinson, Matthews or Taylor Lewan later in the Top 10 if they move down. Now all the Rams have to do is find a trading partner. With one of the deepest draft classes in memory, good luck with that. It is one month until the 2014 NFL Draft, and it will be interesting to see if The Big Trade is made before the draft, or if we have to wait until the Houston Texans are officially on the clock before it happens.