The gems of a draft class aren't always first-round picks, and the picks that disappoint aren't always the third-day fliers. College Football 24/7 takes a look at the best and worst picks of each team in the NFL with respect to value and fit rather than overall talent, here focusing on the AFC West.
Denver Broncos
Best: TE Jeff Heuerman, Round 3 (No. 92 overall)
Yes, Heuerman won't get the chance to impact the Denver offense until 2016 after tearing his ACL in practice. But while that puts a damper on his future, it doesn't smudge the pick itself. The Broncos got an athletic replacement for Julius Thomas without spending too high a pick for him. It will just take another year before dividends begin to pay.
Worst: DT Darius Kilgo, Round 6 (No. 203 overall)
The former Maryland run stuffer will have an uphill climb to make the Broncos' roster. As a sixth-rounder, there isn't much at stake from the Broncos' perspective, but Kilgo is more of a free-agent type as a two-down player who struggles to pressure the passer.
Kansas City Chiefs
Best: CB Steven Nelson, Round 3 (No. 98 overall)
The Chiefs got an underappreciated cover man in Nelson, who plays an aggressive style and will join first-rounder Marcus Peters for a push of younger competition for veteran Sean Smith and second-year pro Phillip Gaines. Nelson held up very well at the Senior Bowl against a talented group of wide receivers. If attitude problems plague Peters' rookie year (his dismissal from Washington last November was a draft concern), Nelson becomes all the more valuable.
Worst: LB Ramik Wilson, Round 4 (No. 118 overall)
Wilson was an All-SEC performer with more than 100 tackles in each of his last two seasons, but that production was belied by the fact that Wilson just didn't make enough of those plays at the line of scrimmage. Too often, he would let the tackle come to him, and SEC insiders considered Wilson to be overrated. Don't be surprised if Wilson ends up in a reserve/special-teams role.
Oakland Raiders
Best: WR Amari Cooper, Round 1 (No. 4 overall)
Cooper was the most complete receiver in the draft and has a tireless and business-like work ethic to go with it. The Raiders got a player who should be a long-term No. 1 receiver to pair with second-year quarterback Derek Carr, with whom Cooper will develop chemistry quickly. The price was high for Cooper, but so will be the reward.
Worst: DT Mario Edwards, Jr., Round 2 (No. 35 overall)
Edwards has high potential, but scouting concerns about his motor and inability to get the most out of his physical tools are the kinds of flags you don't want on a draft pick chosen this high. The last thing the Raiders need is to get burned on a high draft pick because his motivation isn't where it should be.
San Diego Chargers
Best: LB Denzel Perryman, Round 2 (No. 48 overall)
The former Miami Hurricane brings a hard-hitting reputation to the Chargers, and should pay immediate dividends on early downs against the run. It's less certain that he'll be a three-down linebacker, but don't count him out for that, either. Perryman is an emotional and inspirational player whose love for the game comes through in his play.
Worst: CB Craig Mager, Round 3 (No. 83 overall)
Mager has all the physical tools NFL clubs look for in a cornerback, but the Texas State product will have a huge adjustment to make in facing pro-level competition. As well, Mager was projected to go in the fourth or fifth round, so the Chargers could have reached to make him a top-100 pick. San Diego might have been wiser to address its defensive line at this point rather than waiting until the sixth round.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
