2006
Round 1, Pick 11 – Jay Cutler – Vanderbilt – Quarterback
Round 2, Pick 61 – Tony Scheffler – Western Michigan – Tight End
Round 4, Pick 119 – Brandon Marshall – UCF – Wide Receiver
Round 4, Pick 126 – Elvis Dumervil – Louisville – Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
Round 4, Pick 130 – Domenik Hixon – Akron – Wide Receiver
Round 5, Pick 161 – Chris Kuper – North Dakota – Offensive Guard
Round 6, Pick 198 – Greg Eslinger – Minnesota – Offensive Center
Overall: Jay Cutler was drafted to be the franchise quarterback that the Broncos had been looking for since John Elway retired. He showed that kind of potential in his rookie year and really broke out in 2008, when he passed for over 4500 yards. He always has problems with turnovers, since he relies heavily on his arm to make plays. But he showed a lot of talent and aptitude for Mike Shanahan’s offense in his first three years. However it was not to be, as the hiring of Josh McDaniels quickly led to the trading of Cutler to the Bears. With the Bears, Cutler both led the league in interceptions in 2009 and led the Bears to the NFC Championship in 2010. Tony Scheffler brought an athletic presence to the tight end position, being able to stretch the field vertically. He brought a new dimension to the passing game during his time with Mike Shanahan. But much like the majority of this draft class, Josh McDaniels felt less inclined to give Scheffler those playing opportunities and his production suffered. He was traded to the Lions, where he gave them another option in the passing game, though he is stuck behind the more complete tight end in Brandon Pettigrew. Brandon Marshall showed great potential during his rookie season and earned a starting job in 2007. From there, Marshall proceeded to have three consecutive 100+ catch seasons with the Broncos and became one of the best receivers in the NFL. However a combination of off the field issues, contract demands and a coaching change led to Marshall being traded to the Miami Dolphins before the 2010 season. He didn’t produce quite as well with the Dolphins; however the Dolphins concerns at quarterback did contribute to that. Elvis Dumervil was brought as an undersized pass rush specialist and became probably the best player on Denver’s defense not named Champ Bailey the past few years. He impressed the coaching staff by raking up 21 sacks in his first two seasons. After a down year in 2008, he led the NFL in sacks in 2009, his first year as a 3-4 outside linebacker. While an injury kept him out for the entire season this year, he remains one of the scariest pass rushers to face in the NFL and he will be the face of the Broncos defense going forward. Domenik Hixon joined the team with a broken foot and showed little when he was given an opportunity with the team. However he bloomed into a superb slot receiver and kick returner with the Giants after he left Denver. After a lost rookie season, Chris Kuper made the most of the opportunity to start he was given in 2007. Including that year he has started 57 games at left guard. He has been a great find and should in that vein this upcoming year. Greg Esligner never saw the field in a short and injured plagued career. Overall this was a great draft, netting the Broncos a franchise-type quarterback who fit their coach’s offensive system, two offensive weapons in Scheffler and Marshall, a starting guard and a great pass rusher. However, the grade is dragged down because of the dismantling of this draft by Josh McDaniels. The quarterback and receiving threats were all traded away.
Final Grade: B (Would’ve been an A if not for McDaniels)
2007
Round 1, Pick 17 – Jarvis Moss – Florida – Defensive End
Round 2, Pick 56 – Tim Crowder – Texas – Defensive End
Round 3, Pick 70 – Ryan Harris – Notre Dame – Offensive Tackle
Round 4, Pick 121 – Marcus Thomas – Florida – Defensive Tackle
Overall: Jarvis Moss came into the league with a lot of athletic ability and promise. However neither was able to prevent him from being injured and his failure to find the field these past four years. He collected exactly 3.5 sacks for the Broncos before he was waived this past season. He was picked up by the Raiders, but has only been used in a rotational role. Tim Crowder made a bit of an impression during his rookie season with four sacks in limited time. However he barely saw the field in his sophomore season and was cut the following year. He found his way to the Buccaneers and made a marginal impact as a part-time starter at defensive end. Ryan Harris was drafted to be a potential left tackle of the future. While the selection of Ryan Clady after his rookie season prevented that from every happening, he went on to be a solid starter at right tackle. He started every game in 2008, half the game in 2009 and 10 game 2010. He has been solid, but the coaching change may force him out of the lineup in favor of a bigger, nastier player. Marcus Thomas came into the draft with a reputation of being a troublemaker and there were questions as to whether or not he would be able to stay active. Well, he came out and found ways to contribute in both a 4-3 and a 3-4. He is a free agent this year and could move on, but he could also find a spot as the 3-technique tackle in John Fox’s 4-3. Overall 2007 was a somewhat wasted draft. It was supposed to bring in quality pass rushers to boost the defensive line. However, the first two picks busted out with the Broncos and the latter two have been solid at best. Normally I’d give a 50% success rate a higher grade, but when you only have four picks and the first two are busts, it’s difficult to give a lot of credit.
Final Grade: C-
2008
Round 1, Pick 12 – Ryan Clady – Boise State – Offensive Tackle
Round 2, Pick 42 – Eddie Royal – Virginia Tech – Wide Receiver
Round 4, Pick 108 – Kory Lichtensteiger – Bowling Green – Offensive Guard/Center
Round 4, Pick 119 – Jack Williams – Kent State – Cornerback
Round 5, Pick 139 – Ryan Torain – Arizona State – Runningback
Round 5, Pick 148 – Carlton Powell – Virginia Tech – Defensive Tackle
Round 6, Pick 183 – Spencer Larsen – Arizona – Fullback/Linebacker
Round 7, Pick 220 – Josh Barrett – Arizona State – Safety
Round 7, Pick 227 – Peyton Hillis – Arkansas – Fullback/Runningback
Overall: Ryan Clady was drafted to give Jay Cutler a blind side protector who could spend the next ten years keeping Cutler upright. His first two years he certainly looked like that kind of guy. However a patella tendon injury caused Clady to miss a significant portion of training camp and the preseason before the 2010 season, which led to his level of play dropping off some. He has still been an excellent player and should find little problem returning to the All-Pro level he was playing at before his injury. Eddie Royal came in to help build depth in the receiving corp. but finished his rookie season with 91 catches and the starting receiver job opposite Brandon Marshall. However, since Mike Shanahan was fired, Royal has slid down the depth chart, becoming little more than a slot receiver. He still has value, but he needs to work his way back up the depth chart. Kory Lichtensteiger played mostly in sub packages during his rookie season. However, like most of this class, he was cut a year later because of the coaching change. He went a season with the Vikings and ended up starting 14 games for the Redskins last season. Jack Williams played in 14 games in substitute packages his rookie year, but found his playing time reduced in 2009 and barely played on the Lions in 2010. Ryan Torain came into the league injured, played in two games before tearing his ACL and missing the rest of the season. He was subsequently cut and rejoined Mike Shanahan this past season with the Redskins, starting 8 games. He is a good fit for Shanahan’s offense and a talented player; he just got cut too early. Carlton Powell was injured early on and has never seen the field, with any team. Spencer Larsen played both on offense and defense as a fullback/linebacker as a rookie. Following his rookie season he turned more and more to being a fulltime fullback, but contributed on special teams. Josh Barrett showed nice potential as a nickel safety during his rookie season. He saw his role reduced the following year and was cut this past season. Peyton Hillis was a lot like Ryan Torain. He is a solid fit for Mike Shanahan’s type of offense and showed that during his limited playing time his rookie year. However Josh McDaniels didn’t favor him and he was traded to the browns before the beginning of the 2010 season. With the Browns, Hillis broke out after he was given the opportunity to become the full time starter and will now be seen on the cover of Madden 2012. Overall this draft had a lot of potential. But with only Clady, Royal and Larsen left on the team that potential will bloom elsewhere, like with Peyton Hillis. It could’ve been great, but Josh McDaniels blew most of this potential away.
Final Grade: C-
2009
Round 1, Pick 12 – Knowshon Moreno – Georgia – Runningback
Round 1, Pick 18 – Robert Ayers – Tennessee – Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
Round 2, Pick 37 – Alphonso Smith – Wake Forest – Cornerback
Round 2, Pick 48 – Darcel McBath – Texas Tech – Safety
Round 2, Pick 64 – Robert Quinn – North Carolina – Tight End
Round 4, Pick 114 – David Bruton – Notre Dame – Safety
Round 4, Pick 132 – Seth Olsen – Iowa – Offensive Guard/Center
Round 5, Pick 141 – Kenny McKinley – South Carolina – Wide Receiver
Round 6, Pick 174 – Tom Brandstater – Fresno State – Quarterback
Round 7, Pick 225 – Blake Schlueter – TCU – Offensive Center/Guard
Overall: Knowshon Moreno was brought in to solidify the running game that had fallen off its normal perch as one of the best in football. However, to this point he has not been able to show himself as that kind of runner. He has shown good athleticism and elusiveness at times, but he has not been able to consistently produce like that. He still has a chance to be a quality runner, but given the way that John Fox favors power runners, he may not be given the opportunity to prove it. Robert Ayers has been used mostly as a nickel pass rusher and was only started when injury (notably to Elvis Dumervil) forced him into the starting lineup. He has collected exactly 1.5 sacks in his first two years. He may fit better n John Fox’s 4-3 defense, but it’s not likely. The remaining picks were hardly better. Alphonso Smith made no impact as a returner or as a corner before he was traded to the Lions. Subsequently, he led the Lions in interceptions in spite of missing the latter point of the season due to injury. Darcel McBath and David Burton never really competed for a starting role at safety and both are stuck as special teams contributors. Richard Quinn is a solid blocker but brings nothing to the receiving game and was not worth the second round pick that was spent on him. Seth Olsen, Tom Brandstater and Blake Schlueter all found their way out of Denver after a year (or in Schlueter’s case, not even a year). The tragic case of Kenny McKinley only seems to put the exclamation point on a terrible draft. McKinley contributed mostly as a kick returner n his rookie year, but injuries and falling down the depth chart led to him becoming depressed and eventually taking his own life partway through the 2010 season. 2009 was a horrible draft for the Broncos, seeing one failure after another being selected by Josh McDaniels. The only thing that saves this from being a complete failure of a draft is that several of the players from this draft have contributed in small ways.
Final Grade: D
2010
Round 1, Pick 22 – Demaryius Thomas – Georgia Tech – Wide Receiver
Round 1, Pick 25 – Tim Tebow – Florida – Quarterback:
Round 2, Pick 45 – Zane Beadles – Utah – Offensive Guard/Center
Round 3, Pick 80 – J.D. Walton – Baylor – Offensive Center/Guard
Round 3, Pick 87 – Eric Decker – Minnesota – Wide Receiver
Round 5, Pick 137 – Perrish Cox – Oklahoma State – Cornerback
Round 6, Pick 183 – Eric Olsen – Notre Dame – Offensive Center/Guard
Round 7, Pick 225 – Syd’Quan Thompson – California – Cornerback
Round 7, Pick 232 – Jammie Kirlew – Indiana – Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
Overall: The selection of Demaryius Thomas raised some eyebrows because of the trade of Brandon Marshall earlier that offseason. Thomas certain has a lot of the physical qualities that Marshall had, but was hurt most of the season. Other than one big game he had against Seattle, he only made minor contributions before winding up on IR. Tim Tebow, on the other hand came into the NFL lacking some of physical (though most mechanical) prowess that NFL scouts are looking for in a quarterback, but provided a lot of the intangibles that are so difficult to find in this day and age. He was a highly controversial pick, but proved to be the better of the two first rounders. In the few games he started towards the end of the year, he should the kind of leadership and on field presence that a franchise quarterback should have. He still needs to work on his passing mechanics and throwing accuracy, but he has shown the kind of work ethic needed to improve those aspects of his game. Zane Beadles and J.D. Walton both ended up starting 14+ games on the offensive line and while neither looked spectacular, both turned in solid performances. At least one could be a long time contributor, though both could lose their job with the coaching change. Eric Decker contributed as a kick returner and showed himself to be a quality possession receiver. He could work his way into a starting role with time. Perrish Cox and Syd’Quan Thompson each dug out roles for themselves in the secondary with Cox becoming a starter after Andre Goodman fell to quadriceps injuries and Thompson filling in very well as a nickel and dime corner. Cox’s future with the team is in question though because of his off the field problems. Eric Olsen spent most of the season developing and barely saw the field. Jammie Kirlew was cut in preseason. Overall this draft has a lot of potential, but a lot of things need to fall into place for this to reach its potential. If Thomas and Tebow can develop and reach their potential and Cox can keep himself out of jail, this could be a great draft. As it stands, it is only slightly above average.
Final Grade: C+
2011
Rd. 1, Pick 2 – Von Miller – Texas A&M – Linebacker,
Rd. 2, Pick 45 – Rahim Moore – UCLA – Free Safety
Rd. 2, Pick 46 – Orlando Franklin – Miami (Fl.) – Offensive Tackle/Guard
Rd. 3, Pick 67 – Nate Irving – North Carolina State – Linebacker
Rd. 4, Pick 108 – Quinton Carter – Oklahoma – Safety
Rd. 4, Pick 129 – Julius Thomas – Portland State – Tight End
Rd. 6, Pick 189 – Mike Mohamed – California – Linebacker
Rd. 7, Pick 204 – Virgil Green – Nevada – Tight End
Rd. 7, Pick 247 – Jeremy Beal – Oklahoma – Defensive End
Overall: The process of repairing the damage that Josh McDaniels caused as the head coach of the Broncos has begun. The selection of Von Miller with their first pick certainly showed how little this franchise changed under the watch of McDaniels. The defense was the major issue when Mike Shanahan was the head coach and it was clearly the focus of this draft. Miller has elite pass rushing tools, but is just too small to play defensive end in the 4-3 defense that John Fox favors. Playing him as a linebacker in the 4-3 scheme, he would be able to better utilize his skill set and make an impact. They could even use him as a rush end on obvious passing downs. The second round selection of Rahim Moore was a great decision. Brian Dawkins is well into the twilight of his career and the Broncos really don’t have another option that can be the ball-hawking centerfielder that Moore can be. Orlando Franklin gives the Broncos options at right tackle and guard. He brings a nasty disposition and great size and strength to the position. He’ll probably find a starting position either at right tackle or guard. Irving is a solid smart player who will likely take over as the starting middle linebacker for the Broncos. Quinton Carter will compete for the other starting safety job beside Rahim Moore and has a good chance to win that job with his excellent run support abilities. Mike Mohamed and Jeremy Beal will bring depth. Julius Thomas an Virgil Green are both very raw football players, but both bring a great deal of athleticism to the position and one of these two should be able to fill the shoes that Tony Sheffler once filled before Josh McDaniels foolishly traded him away. This was a very good draft for the Broncos, though whether or not is will be remembered as such will hinge on Von Miller’s success in a 4-3.
Final Grade: B+
6-Year Overall Grade: C
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