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NFL Draft Grades: AFC West

Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With the 2020 NFL Draft officially complete, theScore's NFL editors hand out their initial grades for how teams fared over the course of the three-day event.

NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST

Denver Broncos

Round Pick Player
1 15 WR Jerry Jeudy
2 46 WR K.J. Hamler
3 77 CB Michael Ojemudia
3 83 C Lloyd Cushenberry
3 95 DT McTelvin Agim
4 118 TE Albert Okwuegbunam
5 178 LB Justin Strnad
6 181 G Netane Muti
7 252 WR Tyrie Cleveland
7 254 DE Derrek Tuszka

Grade: A-

The Broncos accomplished their goal of upgrading the cast around second-year quarterback Drew Lock. Jeudy was theScore's top-ranked wide receiver, and the Broncos did well to land him without needing to trade up. Hamler gives Denver a deep threat and should complement the skill sets of Courtland Sutton, Jeudy, and former first-round tight end Noah Fant nicely. John Elway also improved his young signal-caller's protection by selecting Cushenberry, who could immediately slide into the starting lineup at guard or center.

Kansas City Chiefs

Round Pick Player
1 32 RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
2 63 LB Willie Gay Jr.
3 96 OT Lucas Niang
4 138 S L'Jarius Sneed
5 177 DE Michael Danna
7 237 CB Bopete Keyes

Grade: B

First-round running backs don't offer great value, though it's acceptable because the defending Super Bowl champions had no glaring needs to address. Edwards-Helaire figures to be a long-term piece in Andy Reid's offense and could become a workhorse if Damien Williams leaves via free agency in 2021. Niang was a sneaky pick in the third round, as the TCU product will improve the Chiefs' depth up front while likely serving as the swing tackle as a rookie.

Las Vegas Raiders

Round Pick Player
1 12 WR Henry Ruggs III
1 19 CB Damon Arnette
3 80 WR/RB Lynn Bowden
3 81 WR Bryan Edwards
3 100 LB Tanner Muse
4 109 G John Simpson
4 139 CB Amik Robertson

Grade: C+

It's not like Ruggs is a one-trick pony, but the speedster is more of a specialty receiver than Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb. Arnette was a major reach at No. 19, and the Raiders' inability to trade down and wait for him later in the first round or the second round was disappointing. On the bright side, Las Vegas loaded up on picks in the top four rounds, understanding that late-rounders will have a tougher time cracking the roster this year since the offseason program is almost guaranteed to be wiped out.

Los Angeles Chargers

Round Pick Player
1 6 QB Justin Herbert
1 23 LB Kenneth Murray
4 112 RB Joshua Kelley
5 151 WR Joe Reed
6 186 S Alohi Gilman
7 220 WR K.J. Hill

Grade: C+

The Chargers may have found their quarterback of the future, but he's got nowhere near the polish or upside of Tua Tagovailoa, who went one pick earlier. With the Lions and Giants looking to trade down from No. 3 and No. 4 respectively, it's baffling that the Chargers decided to wait for the third-best prospect at No. 6. They became aggressive and traded up later in the first round, but again settled on the lesser prospect, selecting Murray over Patrick Queen. Murray struggles in coverage and could be limited to a run-stuffing role as a pro.

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