Column: Broncos, Chiefs and Chargers made interesting moves in draft and afterward

Quick hits on the recent NFL draft. I’ll stay within the AFC West.

A promising haul for the Broncos

The Broncos were set up to clean up.

Their first losing season in seven years allowed them to finally draft up top, while an extra chip in the third round and faith in a veteran quarterback further strengthened John Elway’s hand.

Premium addition?

NFL teams were in agreement that Bradley Chubb, who went fifth to Denver, was the top edge rusher in the entire draft class.

If Chubb is what I think he is – 90 percent of Joey Bosa in aptitude although two years older than Bosa was as the final first-round draftee of the San Diego Chargers – the Broncos will have four edge men who exceed average for their roles: Von Miller and Chubb as starters, Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett as backups.

Chubb’s good fortune

Improving Chubb’s odds of success is Miller, who was still very good last year in his seventh season since Elway took him second overall.

Miller, 29, will create one-on-one matchups for the rookie. Also, Denver’s famously loud crowds will benefit Chubb by muddling communications of opponents.

Value of the pick

The underlying economics are favorable to both Chubb and the Broncos.

Though the No. 5 slot carries the fifth-highest price tag in a draft class, veteran edge rushers command such high salaries that if Chubb pans out, his value will trump the cost.

Giants rookie running back Saquon Barkley, in contrast, could deliver four good seasons yet not provide surplus value on the $31 million guarantee due him as the second pick.

Bottom line

Chubb is no cinch to dominate as a pass rusher or smoothly adapt to a 3-4 scheme, but he has the lowest floor and highest ceiling of any 2018 draftee to join the AFC West.

Big question

Josh Allen. Josh Rosen. Lamar Jackson. Elway picked Chubb instead of these quarterbacks who would go seventh, 10th and 32nd.

Will he regret it?

His quarterbacks are veteran newcomer Case Keenum, 30, and his own draftees Paxton Lynch, 24, and Chad Kelly, 24.

Chubb’s selection didn’t convince former NFL quarterback Rich Gannon that the Broncos believe Lynch is Keenum’s successor.

“I’m not going to lie to you,” Gannon of CBS told 104.3 FM this week. “I have real concerns about Paxton Lynch, whether or not he’s ever going to be a legitimate starter in this league. Honestly, he’s a taller guy, he’s not very accurate, I think the game’s moving way too fast for him right now.”

Kelly, an Ole Miss alum, will try to follow Siemian’s path from the seventh round to Denver’s starting job.

Big class

The 10-man class is Denver’s largest since Josh McDaniels took 10 in 2009.

None of McDaniels’ selections made a Pro Bowl. Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno, chosen 12^th, headed the group. Defensive lineman Robert Ayers was the second of two first-round choices and leads the 10-man class in games played. Rounding out the group were Alphonso Smith, Darcel McBath, Richard Quinn, David Bruton, Seth Olsen, Kenny McKinley, Tom Brandstater and Blake Schlueter.

Here is the 2018 class:

1 (5) Bradley Chubb, edge defender, NC State.

2 (40) Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU.

3 (71) Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon.

3 (99) Isaac Yiadom, CB, Boston College.

4 (106) Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa.

4 (113) DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State.

5 (156) Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin.

6 (183) Sam Jones, G, Arizona State.

6 (217) Keishawn Bierria, LB, Washington, 78.27.

6 (226) David Williams, RB, Arkansas, 81.6

Chiefs fit

I like the pairing of swift linebacker Dorian O’Daniel with special teams coach Dave Taub. Working under the well-regarded Taub will allow O’Daniel to contribute as he learns a new role in Bob Sutton’s defense.

O’Daniel started at strong linebacker for two Clemson teams that reached the national championship game. With the Chiefs, he profiles as a weak-side defender and dime linebacker. He is fast (4.6) but light (223 pounds). At the combine, he led linebackers in the short shuttle and the 3-cone.

Kansas City took him 100th.

Praise for undrafted QB

Ranking the college free agents, Pro Football Focus judged Nic Shimonek of Texas Tech the top undrafted quarterback. Eleventh among the analytics site’s quarterbacks in this class, Shimonek joins the former San Diego Chargers’ positional group that includes Philip Rivers, Geno Smith and Cardale Jones.

In PFF’s view, the newcomer has a strong chance to be much more than a camp arm.

“While Big-12 defenses may have inflated his collegiate production,” PFF writes, “Shimonek ranked inside the top-five among draft-eligible quarterbacks in overall adjusted completion percentage (771.), adjusted completion percentage against the blitz (77.8) and deep-pass adjusted completion percentage (58.8) in 2017, metrics independent of defenses and rather more indicative of the quarterback individually.”

A bonus is that Shimonek can provide insights into AFC West rival Patrick Mahomes and elements of a college offense that Mahomes and another potential 2018 opponent directed.

Shimonek backed up Mahomes at Tech before succeeding him last year. A year ago, the Chiefs invested three premium draft picks in Mahomes, who will start against Team Spanos in this year’s opener.

This is no ordinary season opener for the franchise, which has lost its past eight games to Kansas City.

The two defeats last year denied Los Angeles (9-7) the AFC West title.

In addition to facing Mahomes twice, Gus Bradley’s defense may face another Air Raid alum in Baker Mayfield, who played for Air Raid disciples Kingsbury and Lincoln Riley. Cleveland, an October opponent, took Mayfield first overall.

Tom.Krasovic@SDUnionTribune.com; Twitter: SDUTKrasovic