What If The Denver Broncos Drafted A Different Team

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

In the 2003 NFL Draft, the Broncos selected George Foster (OT) with the 20th overall selection and was a terrible pick because he never developed into a stud offensive linemen. Foster was traded to the Detroit Lions in 2007 - what does that tell you? The Broncos could have saved this draft pick for Nnamdi Asomugha (CB), Ken Hamlin (S) or Rashean Mathis (CB).

Denver picked Terry Pierce (LB) in round 2 and was only with the team for two years and never started a game. Instead of this wasted selection, the team could have taken Jason Witten (TE), Osi Umenyiora (DE), Lance Briggs (LB) or Anquan Boldin (WR).

In the 4th round, the Broncos drafted Quentin Griffin (RB). Griffin was mainly used as a backup, so a better option here would have been Terrence McGee (CB). With a second 4th round pick, Denver grabbed Nick Eason (DT) and never played a game for the team. The Broncos should have picked Asante Samuel (CB). Bryant McNeal (DE) was drafted with Denver's third 4th round selection. McNeal also should have been avoided as he played in zero games for the Broncos. They should have drafted Robert Mathis (DE).

Denver had two consecutive draft choices in round 5, Ben Claxton (C) and Adrian Madise (WR). Claxton never played for Denver and Madise only made 11 game appearances for the Broncos. The team should have selected Dan Koppen (C) or David Diehl (OT).

Aaron Hunt (DE) was picked in the 6th round. Hunt was another wasted draft pick; he didn't play one game for Denver either. The Broncos should have grabbed Cato June (LB).

In round 7, the Broncos threw away two more draft selections with Clint Mitchell (DE) and Ahmaad Galloway (RB). Neither played a game for Denver. Two big name NFL stars that weren't drafted in 2003, but should have been were Antonio Gates (TE) and Tony Romo (QB). With all of the absolute horrible draft picks the Broncos selected in 2003, they decided to not draft or sign Romo or Gates as undrafted free agents. Arguably, Denver had the worst draft in 2003.


Summary Of Players The Denver Broncos Should Have Acquired In 2003

Nnamdi Asomugha
Lance Briggs
Terrence McGee
Asante Samuel
Robert Mathis
Dan Koppen
David Diehl
Cato June
Antonio Gates
Tony Romo

The Broncos selected D.J. Williams (LB) with the 17th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. Williams had two really good years, but his production has fallen off in other seasons. More consistent players like Will Smith (DE) or Vince Wilfork (DT) were still available.

In round 2, Denver drafted Tatum Bell (RB) and was a starter for one year but never became the future franchise running back. A better option here would have been Bob Sanders (SS). Darius Watts (WR) was taken with the Broncos second round 2 draft selection. Watts never developed into a play threat, so Denver would have been better off selecting Chris Cooley (TE), Nick Hardwick (C) or Darnell Dockett (DT).

Denver picked Jeremy LeSueur (CB) in the 3rd round of the draft. LeSueur should have been avoided by the Broncos because he played zero games for the team. Matt Schaub (QB), Nathan Vasher (CB) and Jared Allen (DE) were still on the draft board. Jeff Shoate (CB) was drafted in round 5, but only played in 14 games during his four seasons with Denver. A better pick here would have been Michael Turner (RB).


Summary Of Players The Denver Broncos Should Have Acquired In 2004

Will Smith
Bob Sanders
Chris Cooley
Nathan Vasher
Michael Turner

1. Jay Cutler
2. Brandon Marshall
3. Eddie Royal
4. Tatum Bell
5. Tony Scheffler

The Broncos had no 1st round draft selection in the 2005 NFL Draft, so in round 2, Denver picked Darrent Williams (CB). Williams will be considered a good pick because he was developing into a play maker before his tragic death off the football field on January 1, 2007.

In the 3rd round, the Broncos drafted Karl Paymah (CB) and is mostly a bench player. A more productive player like Marion Barber III (RB) was still available on the draft board. Denver had two other 3rd round draft choices. Those picks were used to add Domonique Foxworth (CB) and Maurice Clarett (RB) to the team. Foxworth was usually just a role player and Clarett never played a game for Denver. The Broncos could have taken Brandon Jacobs (RB) and Trent Cole (DE).

Chris Myers (OG) was grabbed in round 6, but was only a starter for one year for the Broncos during his three-year stay with the team. A better draft pick here would have been Josh Cribbs (KR). Cribbs actually went undrafted in 2005 and could have signed with any NFL team that wanted him.


Summary Of Players The Denver Broncos Should Have Acquired In 2005

Marion Barber III
Brandon Jacobs
Trent Cole
Josh Cribbs

With the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, Denver selected Jay Cutler (QB). Cutler looks to be the franchise quarterback the Broncos have been searching for since John Elway retired and has played well since being the starting signal caller.

Tony Scheffler (TE) was drafted in round 2 and is another excellent pick by Denver. Scheffler, when healthy, has been a productive tight end.

In round 4, the Broncos had three draft picks. Brandon Marshall (WR) was the first pick in round 4 and has become a big-play threat for Cutler and the Broncos. The second pick was Elvis Dumervil (DE) and is a solid player, so this is a worthy selection. The last 4th round pick for Denver was Domenik Hixon (WR), but he only played in 4 games for the Broncos. Bigger impact players like Omar Gaither (LB) or Antoine Bethea (FS) were still available.

Chris Kuper (OG) was taken in the 5th round of the draft. Kuper has been mostly a starter for the Denver offensive line, so this is a good draft choice. In round 6, Denver drafted Greg Eslinger (C) and never played a game for the Broncos. A better pick here would have been Marques Colston (WR).

The Denver Broncos almost had perfect draft picks and certainly had a much better 2006 Draft compared to previous NFL Drafts.


Summary Of Players The Denver Broncos Should Have Acquired In 2006

Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

Denver has had some pathetic draft classes in recent years (the 2006 NFL Draft class was an exception). If the Broncos would have drafted as well as they did in 2006 during the 2003-2005 NFL Drafts, Denver would have been in more playoff games for sure.

Below is the club the Denver Broncos could own today. Certainly the Broncos' fans would be excited about this team playing every weekend. The "dream team" below is based on draft pick locations and franchise needs.

Tony Romo (QB)
Jay Cutler (QB)

Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)

Michael Turner (RB)
Marion Barber III (RB)
Brandon Jacobs (RB)

Antonio Gates (TE)
Tony Scheffler (TE)

Dan Koppen (C)
Chris Kuper (OG)
David Diehl (OT)

Darnell Dockett (DT)
Vince Wilfork (DT)
Jared Allen (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)
Elvis Dumervil (DE)

Lance Briggs (LB)
Cato June (LB)
Omar Gaither (LB)

Bob Sanders (SS)
Nnamdi Asomugha (CB)
Terrence McGee (CB)
Asante Samuel (CB)
Darrent Williams (CB)

Josh Cribbs (KR)