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Broncos Draft History: Offensive Line

As we wrap up the preview of the offensive linemen available in the 2014 NFL Draft, let's take a look back at the offensive linemen who the Broncos have drafted.

Below are some of the notable offensive linemen drafted by the Broncos throughout the team's history.

Player:Orlando Franklin
Year Drafted:2011
Round:2 - 46th Overall
College:Miami

Broncos Career: Franklin started all 47 games he's played since joining the Broncos in 2011. In 2012, he tied for third among tackles that started all 16 games with 3.5 sacks allowed. In 2011, Franklin was named to Football Outsiders' All-Rookie Team.


Player:Zane Beadles
Year Drafted:2010
Round:2 - 45th Overall
College:Utah

Broncos Career: Beadles played 64 games, including 62 starts during his first four NFL seasons with the Broncos. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2012 after allowing just one sack that year. He was named to *The Sporting News' *All-Rookie Team after opening eight contests at left guard and six contests at right tackle in 2010, becoming the first NFL rookie since 2002 to start at least six games at two different offensive line positions. Beadles signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason.


Player:Ryan Clady

Year Drafted:2008
Round:1 - 12th Overall
College:Boise State

Broncos Career:A three-time Pro Bowler (2009, 2011, 2012), Clady is joined by cornerback Brandon Carr and quarterback Joe Flacco as the only players from the 2008 draft class to start every possible game during the last five years. In 2009, Clady earned his first Pro Bowl selection and was a consensus All-Pro. With that honor, he became only the fifth tackle since the 1970 merger to be named a first-team AP All-Pro by his second professional season. Clady is just the fourth offensive lineman in NFL history to start every game and make at least three Pro Bowls during his first five seasons.


Player:Chris Kuper
Year Drafted:2006
Round:5 - 161st Overall
College: North Dakota

Broncos Career:The Alaska native appeared in just one game as a rookie before taking over at guard his second season. In 2008, Kuper was the NFL's only 16-game starting guard to not allow a sack, according to Stats Inc. He has only allowed 12 sacks in 78 career starts, including just 1.5 in 2011. Kuper, who retired earlier this offseason, earned a spot on Rick Gosselin's (Dallas Morning News) All-Pro Team for his play in 2011.


Player:Tom Nalen
Year Drafted:1994
Round:7c - 218th Overall
College:Boston College

Broncos Career:Nalen was drafted in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft and took over the starting spot at center in 1995. He was an integral part of two Super Bowls and played in five Pro Bowls. Over his career in orange and blue, six different running backs had 1,000-yard rushing seasons, including Terrell Davis' 2,008 in 1998. Nalen was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame in 2013.


Player:Ken Lanier
Year Drafted:1981
Round:5 - 125th Overall
College:Florida State

Broncos Career:Like other Broncos' offensive lineman, it took Lanier a year before he cracked the starting lineup, but once he did he remained there for 11 seasons, starting 178 consecutive games, including playoffs. Lanier started all three Super Bowls he appeared and was named team captain for Super Bowl XXIV. Was affectionally nicknamed, "The Rock on the Right Side."


Player:Keith Bishop
Year Drafted:1980
Round:6 - 157th Overall
College:Baylor

Broncos Career:A career Bronco, Bishop started 95 career games from 1980-89 including Super Bowl XXI and XXII. In 1986 and 1987, Bishop earned Pro Bowl nods and he was named to the 50th Anniversary Team.


Other offensive lineman drafted:

Year Rd. No. Name College
2013 6 173 Vinston Painter West Virginia
2012 4 108 Philip Blake Baylor
2010 3 80 J.D. Walton Baylor
2010 6 183 Eric Olsen Notre Dame
2007 3 70 Ryan Harris Notre Dame
2005 6 200 Chris Myers Miami (Fla.)
2003 1 20 George Foster Georgia
2001 4a 113 Ben Hamilton Minnesota
2000 4b 112 Cooper Carlisle Florida
1997 3 67 Dan Neil Texas
1989 2a 41 Doug Widell Boston Collge
1983 1 4 Chris Hinton Northwestern
1983 2 31 Mark Cooper Miami (Fla.)
1977 4 101 Billy Bryan Duke
1974 3 68 Claudie Minor San Diego State
1973 3a 54 Paul Howard BYU

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