Skip to main content
Advertising

#TBT: The best of the best draft picks in Broncos history

There have been many good draft picks throughout Broncos history. These, however, constitute the finest since the AFL and NFL merged drafts in 1967 — the players who were selected first-team All-Pro at least once or made at least two Pro Bowls.

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the second-overall pick, Von Miller has made eight Pro Bowls, had three first-team All-Pro selections, was Super Bowl 50 MVP and is the franchise leader in sacks. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
1 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the second-overall pick, Von Miller has made eight Pro Bowls, had three first-team All-Pro selections, was Super Bowl 50 MVP and is the franchise leader in sacks. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

Jack Dempsey
Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 129th-overall pick, Julius Thomas was a five-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
2 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft with the 129th-overall pick, Julius Thomas was a five-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Kathy Willens
Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the 22nd-overall pick, Demaryius Thomas was an eight-year starter in the NFL who made four Pro Bowls. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
3 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the 22nd-overall pick, Demaryius Thomas was an eight-year starter in the NFL who made four Pro Bowls. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

Joe Mahoney
Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft with the 12th-overall pick, Ryan Clady was a seven-year starter in the NFL who made four Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
4 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft with the 12th-overall pick, Ryan Clady was a seven-year starter in the NFL who made four Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)

Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft with the 119th-overall pick, Brandon Marshall was a 10-year starter in the NFL who made six Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)
5 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft with the 119th-overall pick, Brandon Marshall was a 10-year starter in the NFL who made six Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)

Chris Schneider
Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft with the 126th-overall pick, Elvis Dumervil was an six-year starter in the NFL who made five Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)
6 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft with the 126th-overall pick, Elvis Dumervil was an six-year starter in the NFL who made five Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

Mel Evans
Drafted by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft with the 200th-overall pick, Chris Myers was an eight-year starter in the NFL who had two Pro Bowl selections. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
7 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft with the 200th-overall pick, Chris Myers was an eight-year starter in the NFL who had two Pro Bowl selections. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Drafted by the Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft with the 51st-overall pick, Clinton Portis was a seven-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
8 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft with the 51st-overall pick, Clinton Portis was a seven-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft with the 15th-overall pick, Deltha O'Neal was a six-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls. (Allen Kee via AP)
9 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft with the 15th-overall pick, Deltha O'Neal was a six-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls. (Allen Kee via AP)

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft with the 31st-overall pick, Al Wilson was an eight-year starter in the NFL who made five Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
10 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1999 NFL Draft with the 31st-overall pick, Al Wilson was an eight-year starter in the NFL who made five Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft with the 28th-overall pick, Trevor Pryce was a nine-year starter in the NFL who made four Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
11 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft with the 28th-overall pick, Trevor Pryce was a nine-year starter in the NFL who made four Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft with the 15th-overall pick, John Mobley was a six-year starter in the NFL who had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
12 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft with the 15th-overall pick, John Mobley was a six-year starter in the NFL who had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)

Drafted by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 1995 NFL Draft with the 196th-overall pick, Terrell Davis made five Pro Bowls, had three first-team All-Pro selections, was league MVP and Super Bowl MVP once and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File)
13 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 1995 NFL Draft with the 196th-overall pick, Terrell Davis made five Pro Bowls, had three first-team All-Pro selections, was league MVP and Super Bowl MVP once and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File)

Drafted by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft with the 218th-overall pick, Tom Nalen was an 11-year starter in the NFL who made five Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections and is a Ring of Famer. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
14 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft with the 218th-overall pick, Tom Nalen was an 11-year starter in the NFL who made five Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections and is a Ring of Famer. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)

Drafted by the Broncos in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft with the 43rd-overall pick, Glyn Milburn was a two-time Pro Bowler and was elected a first-team All-Pro once as a return specialist.
15 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft with the 43rd-overall pick, Glyn Milburn was a two-time Pro Bowler and was elected a first-team All-Pro once as a return specialist.

Drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft with the 70th-overall pick, Jason Elam was the Broncos' kicker for more than a decade, made three Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Ring of Fame. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
16 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft with the 70th-overall pick, Jason Elam was the Broncos' kicker for more than a decade, made three Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Ring of Fame. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Drafted by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft with the 192nd-overall pick, Shannon Sharpe was a 12-year starter in the NFL who made eight Pro Bowls and had four first-team All-Pro selections and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
17 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft with the 192nd-overall pick, Shannon Sharpe was a 12-year starter in the NFL who made eight Pro Bowls and had four first-team All-Pro selections and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft with the 20th-overall pick, Steve Atwater was an 11-year starter in the NFL who made eight Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
18 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft with the 20th-overall pick, Steve Atwater was an 11-year starter in the NFL who made eight Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Though most well-known by Broncos fans for being the central piece of the trade that brought John Elway to Denver, 1983 first-round pick Chris Hinton was a great player who started 11 seasons in the NFL and made seven Pro Bowls and was selected once as a first-team All-Pro. (AP Photo/Charles Knoblock)
19 / 36

Though most well-known by Broncos fans for being the central piece of the trade that brought John Elway to Denver, 1983 first-round pick Chris Hinton was a great player who started 11 seasons in the NFL and made seven Pro Bowls and was selected once as a first-team All-Pro. (AP Photo/Charles Knoblock)

Drafted by the Broncos in the 12th round of the 1983 NFL Draft with the 310th-overall pick, Karl Mecklenburg was a 10-year starter in the NFL who made six Pro Bowls, had three first-team All-Pro selections and was inducted into the Ring of Fame. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
20 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the 12th round of the 1983 NFL Draft with the 310th-overall pick, Karl Mecklenburg was a 10-year starter in the NFL who made six Pro Bowls, had three first-team All-Pro selections and was inducted into the Ring of Fame. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)

Drafted by the Broncos in the fifth round of the 1982 NFL Draft with the 131st-overall pick, Sammy Winder was a six-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
21 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the fifth round of the 1982 NFL Draft with the 131st-overall pick, Sammy Winder was a six-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft with the 15th-overall pick, Dennis Smith was a 13-year starter in the NFL who made six Pro Bowls and became a Ring of Famer. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
22 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft with the 15th-overall pick, Dennis Smith was a 13-year starter in the NFL who made six Pro Bowls and became a Ring of Famer. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

Drafted by the Broncos in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft with the 42nd-overall pick, Rulon Jones was a seven-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
23 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft with the 42nd-overall pick, Rulon Jones was a seven-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

Drafted by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 1980 NFL Draft with the 157th-overall pick, Keith Bishop was a six-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)
24 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 1980 NFL Draft with the 157th-overall pick, Keith Bishop was a six-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)

Drafted by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 1979 NFL Draft with the 188th-overall pick, Luke Prestridge made one Pro Bowl and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
25 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 1979 NFL Draft with the 188th-overall pick, Luke Prestridge made one Pro Bowl and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft with the 17th-overall pick, Louis Wright was a 12-year starter in the NFL who made five Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections and was inducted into the Ring of Fame. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
26 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft with the 17th-overall pick, Louis Wright was a 12-year starter in the NFL who made five Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections and was inducted into the Ring of Fame. (Peter Read Miller via AP)

Peter Read Miller/Peter Read Miller
Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 1975 NFL Draft with the 95th-overall pick, Rick Upchurch was a 6-year starter in the NFL who made four Pro Bowls and had three first-team All-Pro selections and was inducted into the Ring of Fame. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
27 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 1975 NFL Draft with the 95th-overall pick, Rick Upchurch was a 6-year starter in the NFL who made four Pro Bowls and had three first-team All-Pro selections and was inducted into the Ring of Fame. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft with the 14th-overall pick, Randy Gradishar was a nine-year starter in the NFL who made seven Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections and became a Ring of Famer. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
28 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft with the 14th-overall pick, Randy Gradishar was a nine-year starter in the NFL who made seven Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections and became a Ring of Famer. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft with the ninth-overall pick, Otis Armstrong made two Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo)
29 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft with the ninth-overall pick, Otis Armstrong made two Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo)

Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 1973 NFL Draft with the 88th-overall pick, Tom Jackson was a 12-year starter in the NFL who made three Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection and is a Ring of Famer. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)
30 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 1973 NFL Draft with the 88th-overall pick, Tom Jackson was a 12-year starter in the NFL who made three Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection and is a Ring of Famer. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft with the fifth-overall pick, Riley Odoms was a 10-year starter in the NFL who made four Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
31 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft with the fifth-overall pick, Riley Odoms was a 10-year starter in the NFL who made four Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL Draft with the 79th-overall pick, Lyle Alzado was a 14-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections. (AP Photo/Robert D. Scott)
32 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 1971 NFL Draft with the 79th-overall pick, Lyle Alzado was a 14-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls and had two first-team All-Pro selections. (AP Photo/Robert D. Scott)

Drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 1969 NFL Draft with the 61st-overall pick, Billy Thompson was a 12-year starter in the NFL who made three Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
33 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 1969 NFL Draft with the 61st-overall pick, Billy Thompson was a 12-year starter in the NFL who made three Pro Bowls and had one first-team All-Pro selection. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)

Though Curley Culp was traded by Denver before even playing a game for the Broncos, they drafted the Hall of Famer 31st overall in the second round of the 1968 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
34 / 36

Though Curley Culp was traded by Denver before even playing a game for the Broncos, they drafted the Hall of Famer 31st overall in the second round of the 1968 NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)

Drafted by the Broncos in the ninth round of the 1968 NFL Draft with the 222nd-overall pick, Paul Smith was a six-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls.
35 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the ninth round of the 1968 NFL Draft with the 222nd-overall pick, Paul Smith was a six-year starter in the NFL who made two Pro Bowls.

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1967 NFL Draft with the 6th-overall pick, Floyd Little was a nine-year starter in the NFL who made five Pro Bowls, had one first-team All-Pro selection and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his career concluded. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
36 / 36

Drafted by the Broncos in the first round of the 1967 NFL Draft with the 6th-overall pick, Floyd Little was a nine-year starter in the NFL who made five Pro Bowls, had one first-team All-Pro selection and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his career concluded. (Tony Tomsic via AP)

Advertising
This Ad will close in 3
Advertising

Related

gallery

The Denver Broncos' 2024 draft class in photos

Here is a quick look at the Denver Broncos' 2024 draft class.
gallery

Photos: Seventh-round pick Nick Gargiulo's path to the Denver Broncos

Flip through photos of G Nick Gargiulo's path from South Carolina to the Broncos, who selected him with the 256th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
gallery

Photos: Seventh-round pick Devaughn Vele's path to the Denver Broncos

Flip through photos of WR Devaughn Vele's path from Utah to the Broncos, who selected him with the 235th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
gallery

Photos: Fifth-round pick Audric Estime's path to the Denver Broncos

Flip through photos of RB Audric Estime's path from Notre Dame to the Broncos, who selected him with the 147th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
gallery

Photos: Fifth-round pick Kris Abrams-Draine's path to the Denver Broncos

Flip through photos of CB Kris Abrams-Draine's path from Missouri to the Broncos, who selected him with the 145th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
gallery

Photos: Fourth-round pick Troy Franklin's path to the Denver Broncos

Flip through photos of WR Troy Franklin's path from Oregon to the Broncos, who selected him with the 102nd-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
gallery

Photos: Third-round pick Jonah Elliss' path to the Denver Broncos

Flip through photos of OLB Jonah Elliss' path from Utah to the Broncos, who selected him with the 76th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
gallery

Photos: Inside the Broncos' war room during the 2024 NFL Draft

Go inside the Denver Broncos' war room during the 2024 NFL Draft.
gallery

Photos: Broncos Country shows out at 2024 Broncos Draft Party presented by Ticketmaster

Check out photos from the 2024 Broncos Draft Party presented by Ticketmaster at Empower Field at Mile High on Thursday night.
gallery

Photos: First-round pick Bo Nix's path to the Denver Broncos

Flip through photos of QB Bo Nix's path from Auburn to Oklahoma and now to the Broncos, who selected him with the 12th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
gallery

Photos: Every 2024 draft prospect analysts mocked to the Denver Broncos in the first round

Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday, we rounded up as many major mock drafts that we could find since January to make a pool of potential first-round draft picks for the Denver Broncos.
gallery

Photos: A look at the 12 best picks at 12th overall from NFL Draft history

As the Broncos prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft with the 12th-overall pick, take a look back at the illustrious history of that slot with these 12 players, as selected by DenverBroncos.com.
Advertising