I like to grade draft classes after 3 years of play because you get a good feeling of where career paths are going by then.
1st round: WR Demaryius Thomas: Thomas was basically injured for one and a half seasons and many were already calling him a bust. However, when he came off of the PUP list in 2011 he exploded onto the scene. Even with Tebow at QB he was still making defenders look silly especially in the Minnesota game. He capped off the year with an unbelievable 200 yard performance against the Steelers. In 2012, when Manning came to town, he solidified himself as a top wide receiver in the league. He had 94 catches for 1400 yards and 10 TD's. Look for him to continue his success for many years.
Grade: A
1st Round: QB Tim Tebow: Lets be honest, Tebow's time in Denver was terribly mismanaged. He should have started the entire 2011 season, but Fox was stubborn and went with Orton who failed miserably. When he finally played he lead the team to a 7-4 record down the stretch to lead the team to the playoffs and their first playoff win since 2005. I will always remember the Steelers game and how great Tebow threw the ball when he finally got the chance. However, his time in Denver was cut short with the arrival of Peyton Manning.
Grade: Incomplete
2nd Round: OG Zane Beadles: Beadles has been a starter since he was drafted. After a rocky start to his career he has improved every season. He still needs to improve as a pass blocker, but he is a really good run blocker and should open up many holes in the future. The acquisition rose many suspicions that Beadles would lose his job, but I think Vasquez will battle Kuper for the starting spot.
Grade: B
3rd Round: C JD Walton: I dont know how to say this without being mean, but Walton has been terrible. I dont understand, but he just has not reached his potential. He misses on many assignments and he was outplayed by Koppen when he was injured. I dont know why the team did not draft a center in the draft, but I hope Manning is OK giving orders to a mediocre center.
Grade: C-
3rd Round: WR Eric Decker: Decker has been a good receiver since he was drafted. He is adept at finding the end zone, finishing with 13 TD's last season. He also had 85 catches for 1064 yards. With the addition of Welker, I suspect him being the 3rd option on offense, but he will still be a major contributor. He has problems with drops sometimes, but that can be remedied with more concentration.
Grade: B+
5th Round: CB Perrish Cox: Everyone knew this pick was a gamble because of his off the field problems. That came to fruition with his involvement in a rape case. He was kicked off the team, but now plays for the 49ers. He was a decent corner, but with the emergence of other corners on the team, he would not have been more than a 4th corner back.
Grade: D
There were no other draft picks in the draft that are on the team anymore. Eric Olson, Syd'quan Thompson and Jammie Kirlew were all drafted, but none made a significant impact. No undrafted free agent panned out in the long run either.
Overall this was a good draft. Tebow revived the franchise and without him I doubt Manning is in a Broncos uniform at the moment. Thomas and Decker are the wide receivers of the future and I think Thomas will continue to establish himself as a top 5 receiver in the league.
Overall Grade: B+
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