AFC West Draft Round Up

I’ve talked about how the Broncos did in the draft, so let’s step outside, so let’s step outside of Dove Valley and dip our toes into the gauntlet that is the AFC West.

Kansas City Chiefs:

Rd. 1 (5th overall) – S Eric Berry (Tennessee)

Rd. 2 (36th) – RB Dexter McCluster (Mississippi)

Rd. 2 (50th) – DB Javier Arenas (Alabama)

Rd. 3 (68th) OL Jon Asamoah (Illinois)

Rd. 3 (93rd) TE Tony Moeaki (Iowa)

Rd. 5 (136th) DB Kendrick Lewis (Mississippi)

Rd. 5 (142) DE Cameron Shieffield (Troy)

Over at Arrowhead Addict, they’re talking about this year’s draft class paralleling last year’s draft class.

"“WR/RB Dexter McCluster was likely acquired to fill the hole this team has for a speedy receiver and a change-of-pace running back with some returning potential and perhaps the occasional deep threat. CB Javier Arenas was brought on board as able depth in our secondary, although he’d need some work and could provide us some special teams help. G Jon Asamoah has potential in our system to fortify the interior of the line. TE Tony Moeaki lands in KC because our tight end position lacks playmaking potential.  Kansas City Chiefs’ 2009 Draft Class1. DE Tyson Jackson, LSU3. DE Alex Magee, Penn State4. CB Donald Washington, Ohio State5. OT Colin Brown, Missouri6. WR Quentin Lawrence, McNeese State7. RB Javarris Williams, Tennessee State7. TE Jake O’Connell, Miami7. K Ryan Succop, South CarolinaLooking over the middle of our 2009 Draft — essentially everybody but the DEs at the top and Succop at the bottom – it was clearly modeled to do exactly what the 2010 Draft is trying to do: playmakers, playmakers, playmakers, with some slight OL help.”"

Oakland Raiders:

Rd. 1 (8th overall) – LB Rolando McClain (Alabama)

Rd. 2 (44th) – DT Lamarr Houston (Texas)

Rd. 3 (69th) – T Jared Veldheer (Hillside)

Rd. 4 (106th) – T Bruce Campbell (Maryland)

Rd. 4 (108th) – WR Jacoby Ford (Clemson)

Rd. 5 (138th) – DB Walt McFadden (Auburn)

Rd. 6 (190th) – LB Travis Goethel (Arizona State)

Rd. 7 (215th) – DB Jeremy Ware (Michigan State)

Rd. 7 (251st) – LB Stevie Brown (Michigan)

The Raiders made some big moves this weekend by acquiring Jason Campbell. As far as the draft goes, Rolando McClain was surprisingly a very good decision by Al Davis and the Raiders. Just Blog Baby likes the pick too.

"“With millions committed to nearly a decade’s worth of worthless first round picks, Davis needed to reverse the trend.Now nothing is guaranteed. Rolando McClain was the most sensible pick the Raiders could have made with the 8th pick in the draft. There were certainly others areas of need. Unless Rolando can double as a right tackle then his arrival means little in the grand scheme of things. However, this is a move that was long overdue.McClain has been called a natural leader by Nick Saban though Rolando will tell you he’s not the vocal type instead choosing to lead by example. McClain has good natural instincts, maintains his gap reasonability, keeps a good pad level and is explosive at the point of contact. These are all traits that have been severely lacking in the Raider organization.Consider the fact that the last Alabama linebacker to be picked in the top 10 was Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas, then toss in that Butuks award sitting on Rolando’s mantle and you’ll see that he’s already keeping some very good company. Not to mention his pedigree of playing middle linebacker in the SEC and studying under one of the best defensive coaches in the game today.”"

San Diego Chargers:

Rd. 1 (12th overall) – RB Ryan Matthews (Fresno State)

Rd. 3 (79th) – LB Donald Butler (Washington)

Rd. 4 (110th) – S Darrell Stuckey (Kansas)

Rd. 5 (146th) – DT Cam Thomas (North Carolina)

Rd. 5 (168th) – QB Jonathan Crompton (Tennessee)

Rd. 7 (235th) – TE Dedrick Epps (Miami, FL)

According to Bolt Beat, the Chargers

"“Are coming out strong with Ryan Mathews as the replacement for LaDainian Tomlinson as well as Donald Butler who will be replacing second string interior linebacker Tim Dobbins.”"

There was some disagreement among Chargers fans about the first pick, but Bleacher Report counters with this:

"“This kid (Matthews) is the most complete back coming out of this draft and is exactly what the Chargers need.The Chargers traded with the Miami Dolphins in order to move up and secure this talent. They sent their first round pick (No. 28), their second round pick (No.40), their fourth round pick (No. 126), and Tim Dobbins ILB. In return the Chargers received pick No. 12 (Ryan Mathews), pick No. 110 (D. Stuckey), and a sixth round pick that they traded.Overall when you look at this trade, it seems a bit of a reach for someone who was projected to go that high. But why not? He was the second best back. Seattle could have pulled the trigger after missing out on Spiller, and Houston at 20.The Chargers needed a RB that can become a great running option for Philip Rivers to have. I think this is a great pick at a great value.”"

There you have the AFC West draft round up. It was a busy weekend for the NFL , and now the teams are ready to get to work.