Best Draft Picks in Bronco History

Over the course of Bronco’s history some of their best draft picks have been late round gems. Late round draft picks can be a gamble; players drafted late can become starters or they can fail to even make the practice squad. The following players were key components in the the Broncos back to back Superbowl wins in 1997 and 1998.

Center is not the most glamourous position in football, but it is one of the most important. The Broncos developed one of the NFL’s best offensive lines after drafting Tom Nalen in the 7th round in 1994. With Nalen directing the Bronco’s highly effective zone blocking scheme running backs flourished. During Nalen’s 15 year career 6 different running backs topped 1,000 rushing yards in a season.

Shannon Sharpe was considered to be too slow to play wide receiver and too small to be a tight end. The Broncos took a chance on Sharpe when they drafted him in the 7th round in 1990. This 7th round draft pick turned out to be one of the best tight ends to ever play in the NFL. When he retired after a 14 year career with the Broncos he held every record possible for a tight end. He was enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame in 2011.

The Broncos expected a practice squad player when they drafted Terrel Davis in the 6th round in 1995. Instead they got one of the league’s most explosive running backs. Davis rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first 4 seasons. Davis was one of the biggest reasons the Broncos won their first Superbowl in 1997- he rushed for 157 yards and 3 TDs in the big game. The following season he broke records by rushing for 2,008 yards and won the NLF MVP award.