Grading the 2008 NFL Draft: AFC West

This is the fifth installment of my eight part series re-grading the 2008 NFL Draft. Previous editions are:
NFC West, NFC South, NFC North, NFC East

Denver Broncos
1(12)   - OT Ryan Clady, Boise State
2(42)   - WR Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech
4(108) - C Kory Lichtensteiger, Bowling Green
4(119) - CB Jack Williams, Kent State
5(139) - RB Ryan Torain, Arizona State
6(183) - LB Spencer Larsen, Arizona
7(220) - S Josh Barrett, Arizona State
7(227) - FB Peyton Hillis, Arkansas
Thoughts: Clady has started every game for the Broncos the past four seasons, and has played in two Pro Bowls (2010, 2012). Royal had a great rookie season (91 catches, 980 yards, 5 TD), and has also been a very good returner, bringing back two punts and one kickoff for touchdown in four seasons. Lichtensteiger spent just one season each (as a reserve) in Denver and Minnesota, and is now a reserve guard for Washington. Williams spent part of two seasons as a special teams player for Denver before appearing in one game for Detroit at the end of the 2009 season. Torain had two non-descript seasons in Denver before joining former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan in Washington, where he ran for 742 yards and 4 TD in 10 games during the 2010 season. Larsen transitioned to fullback during his rookie season, and became the first NFL player since 2003 to start on both offense and defense for the Broncos (playing LB and FB) when he did so in November of 2008. Barrett spent two years in Denver on both special teams and spot duty at strong safety (including 3 starts), spent the 2010 season on the Pats' practice squad, but was a solid contributor on special teams in 2011. Hillis had a breakout 2010 season for the Browns after being traded for QB Brady Quinn, and landed on the cover of Madden NFL '12, but injuries and a contract dispute resulted in a disappointing 2011 season. Solid draft with no true "bust" picks, but giving away Hillis seems like a silly move now.
Grade: B

Kansas City Chiefs
1(5)     - DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
1(15)   - OT Branden Albert, Virginia
2(35)   - CB Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech
3(73)   - RB Jamaal Charles, Texas
3(76)   - TE Brad Cottam, Tennessee
3(82)   - S DaJuan Morgan, North Carolina State
4(105) - WR William Franklin, Missouri
5(140) - CB Brandon Carr, Grand Valley State
6(170) - OT Barry Richardson, Clemson
6(182) - WR Kevin Robinson, Utah State
7(210) - DE Brian Johnston, Gardner-Webb
7(239) - TE Mike Merritt, Central Florida
Thoughts: Dorsey has done a good job of taking on blocks in the Chiefs' 3-4 defense, but is a much better fit as a 4-3 DT (just 4.5 total sacks in four seasons), as at 6'1, he doesn't have the length to use his very good punch to push back offensive linemen. Branden Albert transitioned from guard to tackle in his rookie season, and has been a steady player, starting in all 60 games he played in. Brandon Flowers (59 starts, 13 INT) and Brandon Carr (64 starts, 8 INT) are possibly the best young cornerback duo in the league. Jamaal Charles had back-to-back big season in 2009 (1,120 yards, 5.9 per carry) and 2010 (1,467 yards, 6.4 per carry), but suffered a torn ACL in week two of 2011. Cottam was a workout warrior at the combine, but was released after three injury filled seasons. Morgan has spent his career as a backup and special teamer with the Chiefs and Colts. Wideouts Franklin (7 catches, 83 yards in one season) and Robinson (2009-2011 in the CFL) didn't pan out. Richardson has started every game for the Chiefs the past two seasons, but may be better suited as a swing tackle. Seventh rounders Johnston (3 tackles in 9 career games) and Merritt (0 games played) never made an impact. Six starters out of any draft is great, but missing on three picks between the third and fourth rounds knocks their grade down a little bit.
Grade: B+

Oakland Raiders
1(4)     - RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
4(100) - CB Tyvon Branch, Connecticut
4(125) - WR Arman Shields, Richmond
6(169) - DE Trevor Scott, Buffalo
7(226) - WR Chaz Schilens, San Diego State
Thoughts: McFadden is a dynamic talent (614 yards, 5.4 per carry, 4 TD through seven games in 2011), but has missed 19 games through four seasons due to various injuries. Branch has been a full-time starter since 2009, but is much better playing in the box than coverage (347 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 INT total). Shields spent his only season in Oakland on injured reserve, and has been out of football since 2009. Scott has 13.5 career sacks, but saw a diminished role in 2011 for Oakland (7 tackles, 0 sacks). Schilens is a physically gifted receiver, but like McFadden, has struggled with injuries throughout his career (20 games missed). If McFadden were able to stay healthy, this grade would be higher.
Grade: C

San Diego Chargers
1(27)   - CB Antoine Cason, Arizona
3(69)   - FB Jacob Hester, LSU
5(166) - RB Marcus Thomas, UTEP
6(192) - CB DeJuan Tribble, Boston College
7(234) - OT Corey Clark, Texas A&M
Thoughts: Cason is a solid cover corner (10 INT), but where he truly excels is run support (235 tackles). Hester is on the lighter side for a fullback, but does a good job in short yardage, and is solid as both a run blocker, as well as pass protection. Thomas was a preseason roster cut in 2008, and appeared in just three games in his career. Tribble never recorded a statistic for the Chargers in his one season on the roster, while Clark played in just one game over two season in San Diego. The team only had two total picks in the first four rounds, and got two starters, but missing on three of five picks isn't a good thing.
Grade: C-