2011 NFL Draft Results (Update) Day One in the AFC West

by KaptainKirk on Apr 29, 2011 12:00 AM MDT in 2011 NFL Draft Coverage

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Corey Liuget, #18 overall pick by the San Diego Chargers, holds up a jersey on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

While the Broncos may have surprised a hew people by drafting Von Miller with the 2nd overall pick, their division rivals weren't idle. Well except for the Raiders, who gave up their 1st round pick for Richard Seymour. The San Diego Chargers beefed up their Defensive Line and the Kansas City Chiefs did some maneuvering.

THE CHARGERS

With the 18th pick, the Chargers picked up DT Cory Liuget (pronounced "legit") from the Fighting Illini. Corey's versatility is what makes him an attractive choice for the Bolts. He is one of the better prospects in this class of big men. Liuget had a career year in 2010, recording 63 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries and three passes broken up. His ability to get consistent pass rush from the 3-technique and Nose Tackle positions will enable San Diego to work from a 3 or 4 man front. Liuget's experience at the 5-technique should be beneficial to the Chargers.

While he doesn't have an elite first step, Corey has enough to be a pass rush and penetrating run-stopper inside. He has quick feet and will use his strength to force his opponents to double-team him. A stout defender who plays with a strong base, Liuget's hustle and ability to stay low make him difficult to escape within or outside the pocket. His College Coaches said that he is a leader in the locker and meetings rooms.

THE CHIEFS

Kansas City traded the 21st pick to the Cleveland Browns, who had already traded down from the 6th overall pick. Cleveland dealt the 27th and 70th picks to the Chiefs in order to choose Phil Taylor. Kansas City selected Wide Receiver Jonathan Baldwin out of Pittsburgh. At 6'4", 228 and running a 4.49 40-time, Baldwin is a big, fast Wideout that will complement Dwayne Bowe. Jonathan is a 20-year old that just completed his Junior year and chose to come out early.

Baldwin finished the 2010 season with 53 catches for 822 yards and five touchdowns. He's a better than average blocker with the length to keep his man at a distance and is good with the jump ball and laying his body out for the catch. He needs to work on his Yards After Catch skills and catch with his hands instead of letting the pass get into his body. Scouts questioned his attitude and maturity. Still, he was considered the 4th or 5th ranked Wide Receiver in the Draft and should relieve some of the pressure off Dwayne Bowe and open up Kansas City's passing game, including the speedy Dexter McCluster.

All in all, it was a good first day of the 2011 Draft for the AFC West. The division improved a bit and it's still too early to tell whether any one team jumped ahead of anyone else...again, except the Raiders. Tomorrow, the Broncos will be selecting 4th and 14th and there is still some talent left on the board. Here are a few of the players left for their range of picks:

Da’Quan Bowers
Justin Houston
Ryan Mallett
Aaron Williams
Akeem Ayers
Brooks Reed
Mikel LeShoure
Marvin Austin
Andy Dalton
Rahim Moore
Colin Kaepernick
Brandon Harris
Ben Ijalana
Jabaal Sheard
Allen Bailey
Kyle Rudolph
Torrey Smith
Bruce Carter
Leonard Hankerson
Curtis Brown
Ras-I Dowling
Martez Wilson
Stephen Paea

The New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals are up before the Broncos, so you can speculate who will be available at 36 for Denver. Good Night and...

Go Broncos!

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I really liked Liuget as a 3 tech

I had him ranked as the 3 best DT in the draft but I don’t think he’s a great fit at 5 tech.

Baldwin’s an interesting pick. A bit of a reach but when your team doesn’t have a ton of needs you can afford to make a pick like this. One things for certain Baldwin and Bowe will be a very volatile combination both on and off the field.

And now for something completely different

by AlbertaBronc on Apr 29, 2011 12:14 AM MDT reply actions

SD already has a pretty great defense

Which should help Liuget ease into the system, helping eliminate any rookie issues. As for KC’s pick, I think Baldwin was a reach here, I don’t like 1st round WR’s anyways, but considering what Atlanta paid to move up to get Jones, KC got a guy who could be an impact player early in the season.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Apr 29, 2011 12:41 AM MDT reply actions

I agree that the KC pick was a reach.

I will also add in that the Atlanta pick was a reach as well. I stopped watching the draft after the Minnesota debacle. My jaw dropped to the floor when they wasted their pick considering all the talent that was on the board. But reading that KC picked up another WR makes me think that when it comes to grading their first round I would give them a B-/B range.

Loved the Miller pick and hate how SD is stocking on the defense.

I am surprised that there is all this talent left on the board. Weren’t Mallet and Bowers supposed to go in the first round?

Any movement in history which attempts to perpetuate itself, becomes reactionary.

- Marshal Broz Tito

by BosnianBronco on Apr 29, 2011 12:52 AM MDT up reply actions

I see SD stocking up on D

As them reacting to how amazing they think our offense is going to be this season :)

The people who don't like you in this world fall into two categories: the envious and the stupid. The stupid will learn to love you, but the envious will always hate you.

Representing Bronco Nation in a state filled with Charger fans since 1987.

I want a Broncos' jersey that says VonDoom on the back and has a mushroom cloud for the number

by BroncoFaithful on Apr 29, 2011 1:24 AM MDT up reply actions

Mallet was always late 1st, 2nd round material

Bowers was and is, still considered on of the best players of the whole draft.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Apr 29, 2011 9:53 AM MDT up reply actions

Lots of talent still on the board! Tomorrow will be interesting for sure...

Who is the best player left on the board? Probably Rudoph?

by bfree2bronc on Apr 29, 2011 1:30 AM MDT reply actions

There’s a lot of talent left on that board.

by mikebirty on Apr 29, 2011 1:33 AM MDT reply actions

Brandon Burton Owned Baldwin this year. We should pick him up in the third or trade back and get him in the second

by ShyandObese on Apr 29, 2011 3:12 AM MDT reply actions

Hey guys just stopped in to say a few words.

Great Pick, Miller is going to be a good player. Gotta say i like it when a guy shows true emotion about playing for a team that picks him. But I’m glad it was him and not Dareus, kinda sorta in a way maybe:{
The Chiefs might have reached some on their pick, and i would have picked Carimi or Wilkerson if i was calling the shots. But Baldwin is a big fast WR that catches the ball when it’s thrown his way and he has a 43 inch vertical.

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Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.

by CPT.Caveman on Apr 29, 2011 4:50 AM MDT reply actions

I didn't feel like it was a huge reach

Baldwin always seemed underrated to me

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by black_knight101 on Apr 29, 2011 5:58 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

Baldwin has very similar measurable to D. Thomas

who, some would say, the Broncos reached for last year in the first round.

by DE_BroncoFan on Apr 29, 2011 7:27 AM MDT up reply actions

DT

was over drafted considering his injury and lack of pro-style experience but that’s how Josh McDaniels rolls…or use to roll before getting fired as the HC and taking his rightful place as an OC under a real HC that should have been Denver’s HC.

It was good to see that EFX didn’t screw around with the 2nd pick like Josh McDaniels would have, trading down to accumulate picks and wasting them by over drafting offensive players and over drafting defensive players.

I’m thinking about removing Xanders from the McX equation in all the horrible, horrible, boneheaded moves that were made during Josh McDaniels stint as the HC in Denver but will wait to see how the rest of the draft plays out.

I too was torn between Miller and Dareus before the draft, both are the best at their respective positions and will have a positive impact on their teams next year. Miller seems like the more grounded and mature of the two so I’m happy with the pick. My cousin said that Von was crying like a bitch at a Beatles concert but we both dig the raw emotion and what appeared to be gratitude.

EFX realized the need to improve the defense asap and they did that, hopefully the FO will address the need for a solid DT early in the round by drafting S.P. because can help improve the Broncos horrible rushing defense. Plus he’s a good football player, he’s a good person, a hard worker and just the kind of player that the Broncos need. Pass on Austin, I’m tired of these question mark guys.

Go Defense, Go Broncos!

by KoloradoKaos on Apr 29, 2011 9:52 AM MDT up reply actions

I think NE trades with Cincinatti so that they can jump in front of Buffalo and take Dalton.

I hope Buffalo doesn’t take Austin to pair with Dareus. I would love to grab Austin or Paea or both. There are some good players left on that board. I wish we had more picks in rd 2.

I wouldn’t mind Leshoure either.

Tim Tebow wears 3WM and drinks Tuscan whole milk.

by BroncoMath101 on Apr 29, 2011 6:02 AM MDT reply actions

Ditto

After taking Von Miller, the Broncos better be going after some beef on defensive line. LeShoure sure would be nice at 46, but I’d be thrilled with both Austin and Paea.

by OrangeandBluesBros on Apr 29, 2011 6:21 AM MDT up reply actions