AFC West 2021 NFL Draft Grades
Part 5 of the 2021 NFL Draft series continues — AFC West Edition
We now move onto Part 5 of the series of 2021 NFL Draft Grades and start with the first AFC Conference Division. The West. This Division is particularly unique as none of the Franchises selected a Quarterback. Heading into the 2021 NFL Season all teams in the Division seem content with their respective Quarterback situation.
However, with the recent reports that Aaron Rodgers wants out of Green Bay, will the Broncos or Raiders make phone calls to trade for the Legendary Quarterback? We’ll let that saga play out before the season starts. For now, let's focus on these Draft Grades.
The grading system will remain the same and the grading scale for this review will be 1–10 (10 being the best and 1 being the worst). Each Franchise in this article will be ranked from best to worst.
2021 NFL Draft Review:
1. Denver Broncos
Draft Picks:
Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II (9th Overall), UNC RB Javonte Williams (35th Overall), Wisconsin C Quinn Meinerz (98th Overall), Ohio State OLB Baron Browning (105th Overall), Texas S Caden Sterns (152nd Overall), Indiana S Jamar Johnson (164th Overall), Auburn WR Seth Williams (219th Overall), LSU CB Kary Vincent Jr. (237th Overall), Ohio State DE Jonathon Cooper (239th Overall), Mississippi State DE Marquiss Spencer (253rd Overall)
Overall Draft Grade: 8/10
Summary:
The Broncos are first on this list because of the late-round value they were able to acquire in the Draft. There’s lots to love about Denver’s first four picks. Surtain II is physical but plays a disciplined style at Cornerback and will help stabilize the position for a team that was constantly depleted at the Cornerback position.
Javonte Williams is a power running back with burst and who doesn't have a lot of mileage on him. Caden Sterns is sure-handed Safety that covers well in Zone coverage.
The steal of the night for the Broncos was Wide Receiver, Seth Williams. Williams was ranked 39th on the 2021 NFL Draft Big Board. He’s a tall and lengthy vertical threat that uses his long strides to create separation from opposing Defensive Backs without much acceleration or effort.
The Broncos passing attack under incoming third-year Quarterback Drew Lock was underwhelming in 2020. The Broncos brought in some possible competition for their struggling young Quarterback in veteran Teddy Bridgewater. This upcoming season is a make-or-break year for Lock and getting him a late-round gem, like Williams should help.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
Draft Picks:
Northwestern OT Rashawn Slater (13th Overall), FSU CB Asante Samuel Jr. (47th Overall), Tennessee WR Josh Palmer (77th Overall), Georgia TE Tre’ McKitty (97th Overall), Duke DE Chris Rumph II (118th Overall), Nebraska OT Brenden James (159th Overall), LB Iowa Nick Niemann (185th Overall), Missouri RB Larry Rountree III (198th Overall), Georgia S Mark Webb (241st Overall)
Overall Draft Grade: 7.5/10
Summary:
With the selections of Rashawn Slater and Asante Samuel Jr., the Los Angeles Chargers had themselves a great start in the 2021 NFL Draft. Slater instantly stabilizes the Chargers’ Offensive Line at Left Tackle after rookie Phenom Justin Herbert took lots of unnecessary hits and Sacks despite his admirable performance.
Asante Samuel Jr. is an undersized Corner but has lots of upside and playmaking ability. He isn’t a great tackler but his coverage skills and knack for pass breakups are going to be things that get him on the field early and often for the Chargers.
Josh Palmer and Chris Rumph II stand out in the later rounds as well. Palmer is a 6'2 possession receiver who ran a 4.5 40 yard dash time. His strength isn’t in his speed but he makes tough catches in traffic and would be a good red-zone target for Herbert on the outside.
Rumph II might not be an every-down D-Lineman but he could come in on situational pass-rushing situations to get to the Quarterback. Rumph had a College career-high 8.0 Sacks in 2020 for Duke.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Draft Picks:
Missouri LB Nick Bolton (58th Overall), Oklahoma C/OG Creed Humphrey (63rd Overall), FSU DE Joshua Kaindoh(144th Overall), Duke TE Noah Gray (162nd Overall), Clemson WR Cornell Powell (181st Overall), Tennessee OG Trey Smith (226th Overall)
Overall Draft Grade: 6.5/10
Summary:
The Chiefs didn’t do anything too fancy in the 2021 NFL Draft. They added some depth to their roster at positions of need and added a couple of guys who may develop into starters right away for them. Among the possible starters is Inside Lineman Creed Humphrey, who is an immovable object at Center, and has the versatility to play all inside O-Line positions.
Their first pick Nick Bolton is a bit undersized at the Lineback position, but you can't teach effort, grit, and toughness. Bolton has all those qualities. He’s a hard-hitting Linebacker who makes impact plays in the run game and helps limit the opposing offense's ability to run the ball his way because of his awareness and speed to the ball carrier.
The late-round picks of Cornell Powell and Trey Smith were a nice addition as well. Powell is a great vertical threat on the outside but is not a good route runner. Trey Smith has some durability concerns but was a late Day 1 or early Day 2 Prospect before the aforementioned concerns. If the Chiefs can hit on one or both of their late-round picks, this Draft will have been better than what they are being graded today.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Draft Picks:
Alabama OT/OG Alex Leatherwood (17th Overall), TCU S Trevon Moehrig (43rd Overall), Buffalo DE Malcolm Koonce (79th Overall), Virginia Tech S Divine Deablo (80th Overall), Missouri S Tyree Gillespie (143rd Overall), Illinois CB Nate Hobbs (167th Overall), Pittsburgh C Jimmy Morrissey (230th Overall)
Overall Draft Grade: 4/10
Summary:
Lots of questionable picks here for the Raiders. Most notably, their 1st round pick, Offensive Lineman Alex Leatherwood. Leatherwood is a bulky and strong O-Lineman that can run-block but struggles to hold off speedy Edge Rushers. Leatherwood doesn’t have the footwork to play Left Tackle and will most likely have to kick inside at Guard. Also, the Raiders could have drafted Leatherwood in round 2 as he was not a 1st round caliber prospect.
Going down the line to their later picks, they reached massively on Defensive End Malcolm Koonce, while better Edge Rushers like Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver were still available. The one thing keeping the Raiders from getting a 1/10 is their 2nd round selection of Safety, Trevon Moehrig. Moerhrig is a good coverage Defensive Back and a solid tackler with a nose for the ball carrier.
Jeffrey Genao is a Writer and Contributor for Top Level Sports, Basketball University, and Kitchen Tales. You can read more of his Content at Top Level Sports, Basketball University, Kitchen Tales, and the Official Basketball University website https://officialbballuniversity.com/author/jeffrey-genao/.
