One of the most exciting parts of the National Football League year is the annual draft, this year to be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26.
The anticipation by fans is great, and in my capacity with the Broncos I have long felt that the draft weekend is the equivalent of a major game weekend for the team in terms of publicity, passion and interest.
With the recent Chicago trade included the Broncos at this time go into the draft with 10 selections, including two number one picks for the first time in franchise history. This only serves to increase the already staggering degree of interest in the 2009 selection process.
The Broncos have chosen more players from the University of Florida than any other school, 17, followed closely by the 14 players taken from the University of Colorado.
Next come Houston, Miami (Florida), Nebraska, and USC, each having had 13 players selected by Denver, with the Broncos having chosen 12 each from Georgia and Michigan State, and 11 each from LSU and Washington.
A common trait of those above listed schools is that each is a major institution and in many instances a football powerhouse. Even those universities which are not at the top of the college football food chain at this moment have had great periods of success over the past 50 years, and of course the above cited statistics were accumulated over that length of time.
Right now coaches and scouts are intensely evaluating the college prospects, with the coaching staff at the same time preparing for the first mini camp that will mark the team’s first field activity of 2009.
It is a busy time, and when those 10 draftees are added to the 16 veteran free agents signed since Josh McDaniels became the Broncos’ head coach, it will have marked one of the most active player acquisition periods in franchise history.
The Broncos have made 34 first round draft choices in their 49 drafts. In some years they traded away the pick, but they have never had two. In fact, they actually have made 35, but in 1960 the choices were announced in alphabetical order by the American Football League, without reference to the order of selection by any individual team.
For the record, the first pick in 1960 was linebacker and placekicker Roger LeClerc, who played several seasons in Chicago and one in Denver without particular distinction.
From 1961 to the present, Denver has taken 18 offensive players and 16 defensive players in those 34 selections. Eleven of those have gone on to be Pro Bowl players for the Broncos and one, tackle Chris Hinton was included in the trade for John Elway–so that number actually is 12 (not only did Elway obviously reach that level, but so did Hinton with Indianapolis, so the math is accurate no matter how you do it).
Of that same number, 27 of the players became starters for Denver.
So while we don’t know whose names will be called on April 25, we do know that the fanfare of the selection is just the beginning of the career, and in a dozen previous instances the player went on to become a cornerstone player for the franchise.
Five of those players are in the Ring of Fame–running back Floyd Little (class of 1967, the sixth overall selection in the entire draft), linebacker Randy Gradishar (1974, the 14th selection overall), cornerback Louis Wright (1975, number 17), safety Dennis Smith (1981, number 15), and safety Steve Atwater (1989, number 20).
And you never know when a player will leap from obscurity to stardom. In addition to those first round successes, let’s all take note of the following players who were the very last players chosen by the Broncos in their respective drafts: Karl Mecklenburg, taken in the 12th round in 1983 and now a Ring of Famer; Tyrone Braxton, the 12th round choice in 1987 and an eventual starter on five Denver Super Bowl teams; Tom Nalen, taken in the seventh round in 1994, an anchor in the offensive line for the Broncos’ back-to-back world championship teams and one of the great centers ever.
As it already has been doing, the Denver Broncos web site will continue to post articles about the top college players, and quite frankly there is no other site or newspaper which covers the Broncos that will have the volume of material available to match our own web site.
Keep checking it out. Some of these players are future Broncos.
And the future is where this team’s new history is going to be made.
As per the norm nice blog Jim…You always seem to make it more of a history lesson then keeping with a current state of the team. I would love to hear the front offices thoughts on our interests. Not so much to lay our cards on the table, but a general topic on the positions needed to fill this year.
Maybe you could do a blog on the front office that was around during the Orange Crush days.
Thank you Mr. Saccomano
Great post.
I second the motion to do a post on the positions needed. And I sill want some Socks and a Bon Fire!
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
Some interesting Bronco history… thanks for sharing Mr. Saccomano. Look forward to draft day this year!
Speaking of Floyd Little, anyone see the Ernie Davis story, (The Express).
In addition just read that the NFL schedule will be released on Tuesday evening.. 1900 mil time (07:00 pm mdt).
Great information on the Broncos’ draft history. Thanks!
I will chime in with my thoughts regarding the Broncos’ picks this year; I hope we don’t trade the picks. With the wealth of great defensive prospects in the first round, I hope we take advantage of this draft to bring in a foundation of talent that will rekindle the infamous Orange Crush. With a defense to be feared in years to come coupled with the potential offensive prowess of McDaniels….. lets start a dynasty!
Orange Crush!!!
Good stuff!
Good read. I too hope we keep all the picks we have. The only exception would be if we could package a1&3 or 1&4 to get BJ Raji. If not, just draft defense, PLEASE! I’ve grown tired of the roller coaster ride that being a Bronco fan has been the past few years. If we had a similar D to that of 5 years ago (Wilson, Gold, Mobley, etc…), we would have consistantly made the playoffs. Get some impact defensive guys, big and athletic, and we’ll be set. I’m confident that’s our philosophy going into this. And not just because everyone says we need to focus on D.
Great blog again Jim , thanks for keeping our interest while we anticipate the up coming draft. Your blogs have become the highlight of the Bronco website and we thank you for taking the time for sharing your experiences of the team with us. You are the only one who has been here thru it all and therefore have to be the worlds greatest Bronco fan!
Hey guy. I gon make nachos for this year draft I put up recipe like the day before. Or two day before. I hope we gon get good things for the cutsper picts. Like hole bunch all kind of mad crazy fools on defence line to rush you quart back. If we get like four new guy on defence line front 7 then some body pocket gon coolapse this year holmes. I just knowed it, it weakness of bronco too long got to beef up you pont of attack. We need all kind of mad crazy fool up in hear. On defence.
One player I would really love to have is Richmond’s Lawrence Sidbury. This guy is awesome and is one of the few players at the Division I level who can legitimately say he won a national championship, none of this BCS crap as he did it in I-AA. Well, as always, Jim, it’s a pleasure reading your articles and of course, GO BRONCOS!!!
hey what happened to that post from angry bronco? it was here like an hour ago now it and the post from the guy after are gone. its like theyre coverin up a fan that has a bad opinion of the owner and coas
coach*
They removed it because of swearing, just in case kids come on here to read.
I am looking forward to the draft, I hope the broncos go defense this year. If they want a QB holdoff and get one next year and get better value for their picks. I saw an mock draft on espn and it had the broncos selecting (the first four rounds of the draft):
No. 12: Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU - 1st
No. 18: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State - 1st
No. 48: Ron Brace, DT, Boston College - 2nd
No. 79: Asher Allen, CB, Georgia - 3rd
No. 84: Louis Murphy, WR, Florida - 3rd
No. 114: Chip Vaughn, S, Wake Forest - 4th
I read the first three and my jaw dropped. A great DE, a starting OLB and a NT. That would really fill some holes in the defense. I just pray the broncos go defense and don’t do something stupid like trade away the picks for a unproven QB.
Thanks for the great blog. I can not wait for the draft. Going to be interesting. I hope we just get some good D players. I really do not think we need a QB from this draft, maybe late rounder, but we need D. I feel simms or orton will be just fine.Just my own thought but the more I learn about orton, the more I like him. Ya, he is no big gun but he can play the position. Heck he is still young and we do not know all he is capable of. Same goes for Simms, we do not know what he is capable of either. He was hurt and just coming back, so I’ll go with them till we know.
Nice Blog. Tyson Jackson and Peria Perry or Ziggy Hood or Ron Brace would do wonders for our defense. Pick up up a running back like P.J Hill or Javon Ringer. Or Pat White in the second round
I hope Denver keeps their picks. Use them for defense in the high rounds, and then later pick up a RB, WR, maybe even a TE that can block. Bleed Orange and Blue!
This is a QB compotition that I have absolutley no clue who is gonna win it out. I have no idea. We have 2 decent qb’s, i will be happy with either one of them. they both will thrive in this offense, with all the tools they have at their disposal. Either one will be ok, what do you guys think?
Bleed Orange and Blue!!!!
love all the positivity thats flowing now that the whole jay cutler thing is done and over with. i gotta short one today tho. (well kinda) ive been down talking bj raji since the mocks came out. but thts because im bias ima big time lb fan i love intensity nd speed lb’s play at, thats why i was hoping for maualuga. but i actually like raji. i didnt like clady before the draft but i actually love that guy hes amazing. more production from the big fellas. i think raji is a great choice at 12 or ron brace in the second round.
1 more thing alot of mock drafts have been sayin that the chargers are gonna pick maualuga at 16 but more nd more are saying Micheal Oher outta ole miss i believe; bcuz of that scrub guarding philip rivers’ blind side. if tht would happen it would leave maualuga at 18. Jus think if this were to happen:
12 Tyson Jackson / everrette brown
18 Rey Maualuga
48 Ron Brace
That would be friggin ridiculous man!!
Im outtyy
TAKE CARE (GO BRONCS!!!!!)
latest Mock Draft I saw has Denver trading pick 12 and their first 3rd rounder to Jacksonville to move up to 8 overall, and draft Mark Sanchez. Yikes.
I really dont want them to draft Sanchez at the 12th spot, but anyways does anyone know if Jay Cutler was showing up to volunteer workouts with the Bears? I was just wondering because Sportscenter was saying that T.O was showing up to volunteer workouts and it was very unexpected.
This year may or may not be the year to draft a QB, who knows. However I would like to see us draft either a LB or DT/DE with our first pick. There are some good LBs that have had a lot of experience playing in a 3-4 which, I think, would help out with some of our LB that have only seen a 4-3, since it looks like we’re heading for possibly a mix of 3-4 and 4-3. I also think maybe we should look a DB, you know Champ is still awesome, but he’s getting a little older and won’t always be around to dominate.
I still think Orton will win the QB battle. I really have a feeling that Orton will put up some good numbers for us for a couple of reasons. In Chicago he didn’t have a Marshall, Royal, or Sheffler, and he didn’t have a Clady blocking his back side. I also think that if McDaniels can teach Orton like Cassel, we can make this whole thing work.
I’m so excited for everything to start, the draft, OTCs, the season I can hardly wait. After this season we won’t even remember ‘ol what’s his name.
‘09 BroncoNation Domination !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry OTAs
Nice article, Jim. I look forward to your book this Fall. Who would have thought the last chapter would become so exciting?
I hope we get B.j. Raji
Depending where DJ plays (inside or outside) they will pick a LB. LB might be the first 2 picks Remember they have Doom, Crowder, and Moss. Alot of money in that position. If they like Woodyard then that changes things. Its all about who they like on this team now so the few camps will dictate what they will do from now till the draft. QB in the first round it could happen but i dont think so. Orton is not that old he young i think about or 1 year older than Jay.
Best case scenario….
12 BJ Raji DT Boston College
18 Rey Maualuga ILB USC
48 Herman Brown OG LSU
79 Clay Matthews OLB USC
84 Ron Brace DT Boston College
114 Brandon Underwood CB Cinncinnatti
149 Alex Magee DT Purdue
185 Glen Coffee RB Alabama
225 Clinton McDonald DE Memphis
235 Marlon Favorite DT LSU
A more likely scenario…
12 Tyson Jackson DE LSU
18 Brian Cushing LB USC
48 Max Unger C Oregon
79 Herman Johnson OG LSU
84 Ron Brace DT Boston College
114 Matt Shaughnessy DE Wisconsin
149 Louis Vasquez OG Texas Tech
185 Tony Carter CB Florida State
225 Daniel Holtzclaw ILB Eastern Michigan
235 Mike Reiley QB Central Washington
OOPS..I called Herman Johnson Herman Brown in my previous post..sorrrrrrrrry..sleepy!
Notice…I made this an all defensive draft with the exception of Johnson..Unger ..Vasquez..all stud OL and the young QB Reiley from Central Washington..why reach for Sanchez when you don’t have to?
QB prospects in this years draft:*Matthew Stafford - Georgia (big strong armed accurate passer who will be a franchise QB) *Mark Sanchez - USC (smart QB who reads defenses well with powerful arm and can make all NFL throws)*Josh Freeman - Kansas State (a big 6′6″ physically imposing QB who can break big runs.. strong arm). *Pat White - West Virginia (popularity of Wildcat a great thing for him)*Nate Davis - Ball State (good leader and well built prospect from small school)*Rhett Bomar - Sam Houston (Former Oklahoma Sooner)*Stephen McGee - Texas A&M (a sleeper who has NFL size and strength)*Tom Brandstater - Fresno State (tall lanky QB 6′5″ who may prosper in NFL) *John Parker Wilson - Alabama (solid fundamentally but lacks the upside to be top prospect)*Nathan Brown - Central Arkansas (showcased arm strength at Senior Bowl).*Hunter Cantwell - Louisville (a big arm and someone will take a chance on him)*Mike Reilly- Central Washington (turned some heads with solid performance at NFL combine).*Curtis Painter - Purdue (has arm strength but struggled running Purdue’s spread offense)*Graham Harrell - Texas Tech (intelligent QB who will have to learn to play under center)*Rudy Carpenter - Arizona State (one of the most productive QB’s in PAC-10 history as he threw over 10,000 yds).
No matter how good our defense is they will be nothing if we cant keep them off the field. Look at the Superbowl years, our defense was always freah because Terrell Davis kept them on the sidelines resting. Draft a Big Time Bruising running back and give the defense a break. And if we can land a good QB and some good defense in the mix then so be it.
We need Shonn Greene , RB out of Iowa 5′11 235 bruising back, he should be available in round 2 or 3. look him up 1850 rushing yards last year with 20 rushing TD’s his stock fell due to a poor combine !!!
I agree with the need to have a bruising back who can control the clock but we picked up 3 in FA and we still have Peyton Hillis. So Right now we got a bigger hole to fill at NT especially since we’re gonna be switching to the 3-4. And everybody knows you have to have a big NT who can eat up blocks to free the LB’s and DE’s. So I hope we pick Bj Raji 12 and a LB like maulugla more likely Cushing. and Ron Brace in the second round. Then go for RB or CB. Not to take anything from our secondary because I know its all ready 10 times better than last year but if they start all the guys that they got in FA and Champ I don’t think one of them is under 30 so they’re getting old and we need back ups.
If BJ Raji is not available I hope they draft Mauluga from USC. He could be the next Urlacher or Ray Lewis. Big hitter. Great against the run and STAR Power!
Great post Jimbo. Love the blog. I agree that the majority of our draft should be focused on the defensive side of the ball. Tyson Jackson is definetly a sure fire pick at 12, and hopefully Cushing from USC will be available at 18. I think that the Chargers (things that make you go uuh) will take Maualuga at 16. As for the quarterback situation, please, please don’t take Mark Sanchez. he only played 16 games at QB at USC, so i don’t think he will be ready for the NFL. He just hasn’t sold me yet. Pat White would be a better pick in the second or third round, but i would rather take Graham Harrell in the fourth. He was in a very pass happy system in Texas Tech, and he almost won the Heisman. He throws the ball better than Sanchez, I think, and he would probably fit right in with Brandon Marshall. Tall, fast receiver like Micheal Crabtree was. It’s almost a no brainer if he is there.
i agree with the posts above..Im not to worried about the QB situation for some reason..SHould i be? I mean Mcdenver took a kid that hadnt started since high school and turned him around to a 11-5 starter…I just dont know.. I did my HW on Orton and liked what i saw. I didnt find much on sims, however, but i feel that orton will be great with our system. BUT! With them letting go with a great back up in Hackney , which i really wanted to strive, I know they will pick up another QB…I think its hit and miss if we go for Sanchez…..I really am not to worried about getting him or not, compared to drafting 2 good Defense players with our 12 and 18….What do you all think? And people talking about stafford..I just cant see him as a bronco! I know its a far stretch but you never know..If anything if we pick up a QB we should grab that one QB that came in to work out with us…THe one thats small like a WR and denies to work out as one? Last name is white?? Idk….
Go broncos! TOUGH SCHEDULE, TIme to Prove our greatness!
funnycar needs to get the heck off the site , this is only for Broncos… just because there is nothing going on in Raider land doesnt give you any excuse to be on here. Anyway in regards to D~J~C~#24is#1 post , like i said Shonn Greene should be available on round 2 or 3, he even won the Doah Walker award for running back of the year. That should be our guy, imagine him and Hillis a 1, 2 bruiser backfield
thats what im talking bout, i agree 2 great defensive guys in the first round would be awesome, but if Sanchez is there you cant pass him up, Cassel was a career back up at USC and look at what McDaniels turned him into, Sanchez at least started 16 games. And to the guy who alledgedly did his homework on Orton , dont look at the stats, look at the situational figures, that tells the story. Go back look at his college stats, he is only 26 he aint been in the NFL that long. If Orton ends up our man i wish him the best, but i just think we need to look at the big picture.
Well done, Jim!
Thanks for keeping us informed.
I hope the team uses these next two drafts to choose wisely and build a defence that can stand up with the offence and restore some stability and swagger to the unit. With the moves that the team has made so far this off-season, I believe that coach McD has moved the team in the right direction.
Go Broncos!
Were gonna be fine. Orton can throw the ball 50 yards on a rope Check the Bears highlights. We have better WRs and Orton is more accurate than Cutler. Cutler can throw it 80yards on a rope though. But because of the out cry if Stafford does not go to Detroit. That will open the door for us to draft one in the first round. We dont need one but were gonna waist a pick on one. Mc Daniels does not want too. He wanna wait till Tebow come availible next year! Thats why the 1st round pick for next year was important to them when trading Cutler. Think about it. Noone wants Tebow as a QB and Mc Daniels think he can make him the QB College thinks he is. Watch if he dont bend to the pressure(Mc Daniels) next year he will make a play for Tebow! Also look out for a Trade to get more picks if the Redskins try to get Sanchez! They will look to trade with us!
Last part was part of a convo with somoneelse and really not part of my post it was a mistake.(Also look out for a Trade to get more picks if the Redskins try to get Sanchez! They will look to trade with us!)
You people all seem to conveniently overlook the fact that we traded away a ProBowl quarterback!! Our new head coach is an egocentric idiot! What in the world was he trying to do, completely mess up our team?!?! Sure our defense needs work, but with Jay gone, we won’t have an offense, so it won’t matter anyway. Just another long season and trial for this 50 year Bronco fan!