The good news for the Broncos is that the defending AFC West champion San Diego Chargers didn’t seem to get dramatically better Saturday on the first day of the NFL draft.
The bad news is that Tom Nalen’s life didn’t get any easier, and Niko Koutouvides likely will have an immediate opportunity to show that he’s the answer at middle linebacker.
As expected, the Oakland Raiders took Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, a two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up, with the No. 4 selection in the opening round.
Minutes later, the Kansas City Chiefs jumped on another Southeastern Conference star, Louisiana State defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.
The Chargers, by virtue of their good fortune during the 2007 season, were forced to wait until the 27th pick of Saturday’s opening day.
They selected Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason, who was considered something of a stretch but may turn out to help San Diego immediately on special teams.
The Chiefs were one of the busier teams Saturday. Kansas City also had the 15th pick in the first round, using it to take offensive lineman Branden Albert of Virginia. Albert played guard for the Cavaliers, but the Chiefs are likely to move him to tackle.
Some draftniks rated Dorsey as the best player available this year. Others thought that honor belonged to McFadden.
Denver won’t have to wait very long to find out; the Broncos open the regular season against the Raiders and face the Chiefs in Week 4.
“Obviously, Kansas City has had a number of picks, and at least their first three picks, in my opinion, have been excellent,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. “The Raiders got a back that they think is a big-time productive back. He’s got size; he’s got speed.
“They see him fitting in their offense, so I think Kansas City, the Raiders and us, all three, got better today.”
