Backdraft: Denver Broncos

BACKDRAFT SERIES: For 16 days leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft, we're rolling out capsule draft histories of each of the 32 NFL Teams.

 

Backdraft Series

Apr. 12 - Packers | Steelers

Apr. 13 - Bears | Jets

Apr. 14- Patriots | Falcons

Apr. 15- Ravens | Seahawks

Apr. 16- Saints | Eagles

Apr. 17- Colts | Chiefs

Apr. 18- Buccaneers | Giants

Apr. 19- Chargers | Raiders

Apr. 20- Jaguars | Dolphins

Apr. 21- Rams | Lions

Apr. 22- Vikings | Texans

Apr. 23- Redskins | Cowboys

Apr. 24- Titans | 49ers

Apr. 25- Browns | Cardinals

Apr. 26- Bengals | Bills

Apr. 27- Broncos | Panthers

2011 Draft Position:

• 2

 

First-Ever NFL Draft Pick:

• Roger LeClerc, C, Trinity (1960). The AFL's first draft had a provision where each of the eight clubs received one "territorial" or "bonus" pick.

 

Most Recent Draft Pick:

• Jammie Kirlew, LB, Indiana (7th round, 232nd overall, in 2010)

 

Hall of Famers Drafted:

• Merlin Olsen – 1st Round (2nd Overall), 1962 (Also drafted in 1st Round - 3rd overall – in the NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.)
• Bob Brown - 1st Round (1st overall), 1964 (Also drafted in 1st Round – 2nd overall – in NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.)
• Paul Krause – 12th Round (89th overall), 1964 (Also drafted in the 2nd Round – 18th overall – of the NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.)
• Bob Hayes – 14th Round (105th overall), 1964 (Also drafted in 7th Round - 88th overall – in NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.)
• Dick Butkus – 2nd Round, 1965 (Also drafted 1st Round - 3rd overall – in NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.)
• Floyd Little - 1st Round (6th overall), 1967
• Shannon Sharpe – 7th Round (192 overall), 1990

 

First Overall Pick in the NFL Draft:

• None

Floyd Little	Riley Odoms	Shannon Sharpe

Did you know?

This year marks just the sixth time in modern draft history (since 1967) that the Broncos will make a top 10 pick. They can only hope they select as well as they did during that first AFL-NFL Draft in '67 when they drafted Syracuse RB Floyd Little sixth overall.

Little's star power helped save pro football in Denver. His stellar career was finally recognized when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year.

The other Broncos draft choices taken among the first 10 picks of the draft since 1967 include TE Riley Odoms (5th overall, 1972); RB Otis Armstrong (9th overall, 1973); G Chris Hinton (4th overall, 1983); LB Mike Croel (4th overall, 1991).

 

Quotable:

"That's certainly not Division I football, but he's caught an awful lot of passes. He's a big receiver. He looks more like a linebacker. He doesn't have great speed, but he's got quickness."

Broncos coach Dan Reeves shared those thoughts about tight end Shannon Sharpe who was selected by Denver in 7th round out of Savannah State in 1990. At the time, Sharpe was receiving more fanfare for being the brother of Green Bay Packers receiver Sterling Sharpe.

Of course, as history unfolded, Shannon went on to rewrite the NFL record book for tight ends and retired with more catches, yards, and touchdowns than any other tight end to that point. He will be formally enshrined into the Hall of Fame in August.

 

Shop:

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Who in '11?

Post your comment about who you think Broncos will take in the first round on Thursday. Why?