2017 NFL Draft: All AFC West picks analyzed

Sep 21, 2017 - 7:45 PM Scouting reports by NFLDraftscout.com staff and team insiders for The Sports Xchange





Denver Broncos: Eight draftees



Here is a closer look at each selection:

Round 1/20 -- Garett Bolles, T, 6-5, 297, Utah

The Broncos stood pat and got a player they valued at a position of urgent need. Denver favored him over Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk because of his ability as a pass blocker and the nasty streak with which he plays. Bolles will have to adjust to working in a three-point stance, and will have to learn how to take fewer penalties, but given the issues the Broncos have at left tackle, they hope he can develop and start right away.

Round 2/51 -- DeMarcus Walker, DE, 6-4, 280, Florida State

The Broncos were not able to replace Malik Jackson last year, struggling to generate the same interior pass rush the team did when he worked alongside Derek Wolfe. They hope that Walker, the most productive pass rusher among potential 3-4 defensive linemen in this year's class, will change that. The 280-pounder racked up 16 sacks and 21.5 tackles for losses last year. He isn't expected to start right away, but should factor in the Broncos' sub package on passing downs.

Round 3/82 -- Carlos Henderson, WR, 5-11, 199, Louisiana Tech

The explosive Henderson led FBS in all-purpose yardage last year and should be the Broncos' kickoff returner right away. But he also has a chance to be the team's No. 3 receiver working from the slot. A converted running back, Henderson has a sturdy build that allows him to force tacklers to bounce off him, leading to plenty of yardage after the catch.

Round 3/101 -- Brendan Langley, CB, 6-0, 201, Lamar

Lengthy, strong, athletic and intelligent, Langley showed palpable growth during his work at the Senior Bowl, overcoming early-week practice struggles to post an interception in the game. The Broncos hope to see that sort of growth in him this year. John Elway and Vance Joseph acknowledged that he is "raw," but they expect him to grow with the tutelage of Pro Bowlers Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib.

Round 5/145 -- Jake Butt, TE, 6-5, 246, Michigan

There were few tight ends available who could work in both an in-line role and outside. Butt was one of them. The Broncos must wait out his recovery from a torn ACL, and the fact that it was his second ACL tear offers cause for concern. However, Butt was a potential first-round pick if he was healthy. He's a worthy risk for the Broncos, and if he regains his full health, the 2016 John Mackey Award winner could be the steal of the draft.

Round 5/172 -- Isaiah McKenzie, WR, 5-7, 173, Georgia

The electric McKenzie scored five touchdowns on punt returns at Georgia and averaged one touchdown every seven offensive touches last season. He doesn't have the same straight-line speed as Kansas City's Tyreek Hill, but matches him in quickness. He could be the Broncos' punt returner right away.

Round 6/203 -- De'Angelo Henderson, RB, 5-7, 208, Coastal Carolina

Incredibly productive in college -- with a Division I-record 35 consecutive games with at least one touchdown -- Henderson could eventually be an every-down threat for the Broncos. For now, he should settle in as the No. 3 back behind C.J. Anderson and Devonte Booker, with plenty of opportunities on special teams. An outstanding pass catcher out of the backfield, he could find an immediate role as a third-down specialist.

Round 7/253 -- Chad Kelly, QB, 6-2, 224, Mississippi

Has there ever been a more relevant Mr. Irrelevant? Kelly's arm strength and talent would have placed him in the second round if not for a passel of character concerns and a thumb injury that will prevent him from throwing in practice until August. If he steers clear of off-field issues and quietly develops, he could present an intriguing option in one or two years if Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch fail to launch.





Kansas City Chiefs: Six draftees



Here is a closer look at each selection:

Round 1/10 - Patrick Mahomes II, QB, 6-2, 225, Texas Tech

It was 34 years between quarterbacks selected by the Chiefs in the first round of the NFL Draft -- from Todd Blackledge as the seventh choice in 1983 to Mahomes as the 10th selection in the 2017 draft. Mahomes impressed Chiefs head coach Andy Reid with his vision, decision making and 64 more touchdown passes (93) than interceptions (29) in his 32 games at Tech. Mahomes threw for over 5,000 yards in his Tech career, including a 734-yard performance against Oklahoma last October. While not a top runner, he makes plays with his feet and can be elusive when pressured in the pocket. He's pegged for watching behind starter Alex Smith as he learns the offense and reading NFL defenses, but the Chiefs love his upside and provides the quarterback of the future when the soon to be 33-year-old Smith, entering his 13th season, steps aside.

Round 2/59 -- Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, 6-7, 289, Villanova

The first Villanova defensive player drafted since Hall of Fame defensive lineman Howie Long in 1981, Kpassagnon is a developmental player, with very good physical numbers, but limited exposure to top competition. Plus, he needs improved strength to play defensive end at the NFL level. A high schooler out of the Philadelphia suburbs, he played in 41 games and started 24 for Villanova, producing 105 total tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss and 22 sacks. He was honored after the 2016 season as the Colonial Athletic Association's defensive player of the year. Kpassagnon has a tremendous physical package, with very long arms (35 5/8 inches), big hands (10 5/8 inches) and a huge wingspan (84 3/8), plus he was timed at the NFL Combine in 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Round 3/86 -- Kareem Hunt, RB, 5-11, 216, Toledo

Not gifted with top-shelf speed, Hunt's success during his 44-game career at Toledo was about his shifty moves, lateral quickness and the ability to lower his pads and run with power when necessary. He finished his career as the school's leading all-time rusher with 4,945 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, with 44 rushing scores. He posted 28 games of more than 100 rushing yards, including every game he played during the 2014 season, when in just 10 games he posted career bests of 1,631 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. In that season he ran for 271 yards and five touchdowns against Arkansas State in the Go Daddy Bowl in Mobile, Ala. He also had 265 yards on 30 carries against Bowling Green that included a 91-yard run; that was one of just two runs that went for more than 50 yards out of his 783 career carries. Last season, Hunt had 20 carries for 200 yards against then No. 12 ranked Western Michigan.

Round 4/139 -- Jehu Chesson II, WR, 6-3, 204, Michigan

While he did not post big numbers in the Michigan passing game over his career, Chesson was one of head coach Jim Harbaugh's favorite players, because of his attitude and work ethic. A native of Liberia, he moved to the United States as a 5 year old, landing in St. Louis where he attended high school in the suburb of Ladue. Tall and lanky, speed is his calling card; he was timed at 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in March. His big season with the Wolverines came in 2015, when he caught 50 passes for 764 yards and was named the team's MVP. However, that season ended with a knee ligament injury that required surgery and he missed all of the spring and summer work, and that limited his production last season. In 50 games, Chesson caught 114 passes for 1,639 yards with 12 touchdown catches.

Round 5/183 -- Ukeme Eligwe, ILB, 6-2, 239, Georgia Southern

Eligwe began his college career at Florida State, and he owns a national championship ring as he played a special teams role as a redshirt freshman on the Seminoles national championship team in 2013. During spring practice in 2014, he suffered a Lisfranc foot injury and missed the first month of the season. Eligwe played one game, and then was dismissed from FSU for violating team rules. He landed in 2015 at Georgia State, where he had to sit out the season under NCAA transfer regulations. Eligwe was on the field last season for the Eagles in 10 games and led the team with 104 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, as well as forcing three fumbles and recovering a fumble that he returned 90 yards for a touchdown. Coming out of Stone Mountain High School in Georgia, Eligwe was considered among the top 100 players in the country and received more than two dozen scholarship offers from FBS schools.

Round 6/218 -- Leon McQuay III, S, 6-1, 192, Southern Cal

Coming out of Armwood High School in the Tampa, Fla., area, McQuay was a Parade All-America selection and was ranked among the top 100 players coming out of the schoolboy ranks that year. He picked Southern Cal and over the next four seasons, McQuay played in 49 games with 24 starts. He totaled 123 total tackles, with three forced fumbles and five interceptions. Against Penn State in the Rose Bowl, he had seven tackles and two deflections to go along with an interception with 27 seconds to play that he returned 32 yards to set up USC's game-winning field goal. That takeaway came just one play after he dropped a potential interception on a similar long pass. His grandfather Leon McQuay played in the Canadian Football League and the NFL from 1971 through 1977.





Los Angeles Chargers: Seven draftees



Here is a closer look at each selection:

Round 1/7 -- Mike Williams, WR, 6-4, 218, Clemson

The relocated Chargers changed area codes and they celebrated by drafting an area-code receiver. That's how Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney describes Williams, as if quarterback Philip Rivers can get a pass into Williams' area code, he'll likely come down with it. Despite depth at wide receiver, the Chargers couldn't resist giving Rivers another enticing target.

Round 2/38 -- Forrest Lamp, G, 6-4, 309, Western Kentucky

Lamp is a converted tackle and that's fine with the Chargers because they need help inside. The team let D.J. Fluker, a former first-round pick flee in the offseason and Orlando Franklin didn't play up to his big contract. Lamp could help keep Rivers upright but also aid a mediocre, at best, running game.

Round 3/71 -- Dan Feeney, G, 6-4, 305, Indiana

Cut and paste what was written above and one learns why the Bolts are loading up on big bodies for the interior of the line. Feeney is more apt to let his quick feet and leverage compensate for his ability to blow people up. But he should be in the mix for a starting role.

Round 4/113 -- Rayshawn Jenkins, S, 6-1, 214, Miami

The Chargers passed on some top-shelf safeties in the earlier rounds but they think they have something comparable in Jenkins. He will likely compete for time at strong safety with his physical bent; special teams contributions will be expected for this sure tackler.

Round 5/151 -- Desmond King, CB, 5-10, 201, Iowa

King is on the smaller side, but so was Jason Verrett, a former first-round pick for the Chargers who has been to the Pro Bowl. King is more football-quick than stopwatch-fast and isn't afraid to play bigger on running plays.

Round 6/190 -- Sam Tevi, T, 6-5, 311, Utah

Raw talent here and just maybe the Chargers can make something of it. Tevi started as a defensive lineman, but his 34-inch arms proved valuable on the other side of the ball, too. Likely suited to add depth at some point, which was a sore point last year along the offensive line.

Round 7/225 -- Isaac Rochell, DE, 6-4, 280, Notre Dame

Rochell was the lone defensive lineman taken, a bit of a surprise with the team switching to a 4-3 alignment. Rochell, a team captain, might be better suited to play inside in the team's new scheme.





Oakland Raiders: Nine draftees



Here is a closer look at each selection:

Round 1/24 -- Gareon Conley, CB, 6-0, 195, Ohio State

Breakdowns in the secondary were commonplace for the Raiders last season, and Conley figures to help in that regard. Most likely, he'll begin as a slot corner along with Sean Smith and David Amerson, but don't discount the possibility of Conley winning a starting job.

Round 2/56 -- Obi Melifonwu, S, 6-3, 217, Connecticut

A year ago, the Raiders made Karl Joseph the No. 14 pick of the first round and he started most of the season at strong safety. Melifonwu should eventually slide in next to Joseph, although 33-year-old Reggie Nelson currently holds down the free safety spot.

Round 3/88 -- Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, 6-3, 325, UCLA

Vanderdoes recovered from a 2015 ACL tear to start 12 games for UCLA last season and with another leap forward in terms of conditioning, could provide an inside push that the Raiders desperately need. Should fit in immediately as a rotational player.

Round 4/129 -- David Sharp, T, 6-6, 357, Florida

The Raiders won't be looking for Sharp to step in and start, but must begin preparing for the day when Donald Penn, 34, is out of the picture. Sharp was a 13-game starter at left tackle for Florida, protecting the blind side of quarterback Luke Del Rio -- son of the Raiders' head coach.

Round 5/168 -- Marquel Lee, LB, 6-3, 240, Wake Forest

Given what's already on the roster, don't rule out the possibility of Lee playing immediately and starting sooner rather than later. A veteran of 48 games and 37 starts, Lee had 41 tackles for losses and 14.5 sacks. His reputation as a freelancer who wasn't necessarily playing fundamental fit-the-hole defense will have to be dealt with.

Round 7/221 -- Shalom Luani, S, 5-11, 202, Washington State

Luani is a former soccer player who excelled as a junior college player in San Francisco and ascended to an All-Pac-12 safety at Washington State. Luani is a willing hitter although not a wrap-up tackler and can get lost in coverage. What Luani does have is a willingness to learn and a special teams mentality that could land him on the 53-man roster.

Round 7/231 -- Jylan Ware, T, 6-8, 295, Alabama State

Wingspan and frame fit the Raiders, although the bulk and power do not. If Ware can exhibit some good technique and promise, he could stick on the practice squad as a developmental player. Against FBS teams, gave up zero pressures on 32 pass attempts according to Profootballfocus.com.

Round 7/242 -- Elijah Hood, RB, 6-0, 230, North Carolina

A just-in-case pick if Marshawn Lynch suddenly looks as if he retired last year for a reason. Hood is a power back who would complement Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington nicely in theory. After gaining 1,463 yards on just 219 carries with 16 touchdowns as a sophomore, Hood split time as a junior for undisclosed medical reasons and gained 858 yards.

Round 7/244 -- Treyvon Hester, DT, 6-2, 300, Toledo

All-MAC second-team selection had a solid senior year after losing 20 pounds following a disappointing junior year. Ideally would be a three-technique, shoot-the-gap player who could give the Raiders some interior push. More instinctive than over-the-top talented, has the kind of mind for football that appeals to the Raiders.