First of all, I don't subscribe to the "lack of talent" hypothesis. I think there is plenty
of talent on the Broncos. Much of the talent has come from trades and FAs. But how
much has Elway whiffed in the draft? Here are his "hits" year-by-year:
2011 - Of course, the highlight was the selection of Von Miller, probably still the best
player on the squad. But we also got Orlando Franklin and Julius Thomas, and then
picked up Virgil Green in the 7th round. A fair haul.
2012 - A power draft. Whiffed on Ronnie Hillman, Omar Bolden, and Phillip Blake
(just had to have a namesake for a bust, didn't I?). Have to throw Osweiler in there,
too . . . 2nd rounders should work out. But that was the year we nabbed Derek Wolfe,
Malik Jackson, and Danny Trevathan. Couldn't keep the latter two, but that doesn't
mean they weren't great selections.
2013 - Disaster. Have to admit it. Kayvon Webster became a pretty good player for a
third rounder. Sylvester Williams hung on for a while but never justified his first-round
selection. Of course, there was the tragedy involving Tavarres King. But it was a very
forgettable draft year.
2014 - A really good year. Roby, Latimer (who has really come on of late), Paradis
(our Iron Man who enforces the middle of the OL), and Corey Nelson in the 7th.
Missed on Schofield and Barrow. But the former four are still with us.
2015- Not a good year. Shane Ray and possibly Jeff Heuerman, who has come on some
as of late. That's it. If Heuerman doesn't make it, it will be a year to rival 2013.
2016 - Hit it out of the park. Well, the jury's out on Paxton Lynch (maybe permanently
out). But after him, we got Gotsis, Simmons, Booker, McGovern, Janovich, Parks, and
Riley Dixon. All are still with us as of this final game, and all have impacted the squad
. . . well, except for Lynch so far. Would like to have a draft like this every year.
2017 - Another possible mother lode. Bolles, Walker, Carlos Henderson, Langley, Butt,
Mckenzie, De'Angelo Henderson, and Kelly. Too early to tell with some of them, of
course, and Carlos and Butt have been injured all season, of course. But all who have
played have flashed at times. A hopeful group, IMO.
I just don't think Elway has done that bad of a job, overall. I haven't done it, but if one
were to do some research and compare his drafting with others in the league, I'm not
so sure he would come off that badly. And let's not forget his near genius with FAs,
which was big factor in our playoff years and Super Bowls.