Dissecting Denver’s Seven Draft Selections

Georgia Tech wide reciever Demaryius Thomas poses for photographs after Thomas was selected as the 22nd overall pick by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the NFL football draft at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, April 22, 2010, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

Currently, the Denver Broncos own seven draft picks in the upcoming NFL Draft in five different rounds, which can be seen below:

Round 1, 2nd overall.  With a 4-12 overall record in 2010, Denver was the second worst team in the NFL last season.  Thus, they’ll be selecting second overall on Thursday, April 28th, 2011.

Round 2, thirty-sixth overall.

Round 2, forty-sixth overall.  Last April, Denver traded wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2010 (which they traded to Baltimore to trade back into the first round last year and select Florida Quarterback Tim Tebow) and a second rounder in 2011 (46th overall).

Round 3, sixty-seventh overall.

The Broncos do not own a selection in the fourth round this year because then-Head Coach Josh McDaniels traded it to the New England Patriots last year in exchange for running back Laurence Maroney and a sixth round draft pick.

Denver does not own a fifth round pick either, as it was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last April in exchange for two seventh rounds (which the team used to select linebacker Jammie Kirlew and cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson).

Denver’s sixth round selection this year (and next) were also traded away (in arguably McDaniel’s worst decision ever) to the Cleveland Browns along with fullback/running back Peyton Hillis.  The Broncos received quarterback Brady Quinn.

Round 6, one hundred eighty-sixth overall.  The Detroit Lions received the 186th pick from the Philadelphia Eagles before trading it to the Broncos in exchange for cornerback Alphonso Smith and a seventh round pick.

Round 6, one hundred eighty-ninth overall.  Originally the New Orleans Saintsselection, the Broncos acquired it from the Patriots (who received it in a trade with the Saints) in the Maroney trade.

The Broncos seventh round pick and cornerback Alphonso Smith were traded to Detroit in 2010 in exchange for tight end Dan Gronkowski.

Round 7, two hundred forty seventh overall.  Denver’s seventh round compensation selection was awarded to the team by the NFL.

The Broncos own the first 2nd overall pick, which has been a bit of a hit-or-miss selection over the last decade.

The 2nd overall pick in the NFL Draft – named such because it follows the first overall pick – originated in 1936.  The Boston Redskins selected Riley Smith, a running back out of Alabama, second overall in the first ever NFL Draft.

Over the last ten drafts, seven offensive players and four defensive players have been drafted.  Below is a list of those players:

• 2000 NFL Draft, Washington Redskins select LaVar Arrington, linebacker out of Penn State University.

• 2001 NFL Draft, Arizona Cardinals select Leonard Davis, offensive tackle out of Texas.

• 2002 NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers select Julius Peppers, defensive end, North Carolina.

• 2003 NFL Draft, Detroit Lions select Charles Rogers, wide receiver out of Michigan State.

• 2004 NFL Draft, Oakland Raiders select Robert Gallary, offensive tackle out of Iowa.

• 2005 NFL Draft, Miami Dolphins select Ronnie Brown, running back out of Auburn.

• 2006 NFL Draft, New Orleans Saints select Reggie Bush, running back out of Southern California.

• 2007 NFL Draft, Detroit Lions select Calvin Johnson, wide receiver out of Georgia Tech.

• 2008 NFL Draft, St. Louis Rams select Chris Long, defensive end out of Virginia.

• 2009 NFL Draft, St Louis Rams select Jason Smith offensive tackle out of Baylor.

• 2010 NFL Draft, Detroit Lions select Ndamukong Suh, defensive tackle out of Nebraska.

Needless to say, the Broncos can’t afford to miss on this one.  Denver needs to pick a player 2nd overall that will contribute for years to come.