The Denver Broncos have had their share of ups and downs in the NFL Draft. Over the next few weeks, we'll look at the highest of highs and lowest of lows. We'll start with the Top-10 Draft Busts in Broncos history, followed by the Top-10 Draft picks in team history. Agree or disagree, this will help us pass the time as we march full-steam ahead towards the 2011 NFL Draft.
We move on to #8. Let's be honest, the NFL Draft has not been kind to the Broncos in the past. Especially the early round selections. To limit the picks to 10 is the hard part. I'll do my best.
#8 - George Foster, OT - Georgia(2003, 1st Round, #20 Overall)
I could have went a few different directions here. This is a tough part of the list because there are so many names that need to go higher. I settled on Foster over a few other candidates mainly because he was a first round pick. That will always hold more weight - and since Foster started some games for the Broncos he avoided being much higher.
After a solid career at the University of Georgia, the Broncos selected Foster with the 20th pick on the 2003 NFL Draft. The Broncos needed to secure their left tackle of the future and Foster seemed like a good value. Foster didn't see the field his rookie season, however, and very early on there were questions about the kind of player Foster would become.
Foster started 45 of a possible 48 games the next three seasons for the Broncos, but at right tackle. Late in the 2006 season, however, Foster was benched by Mike Shanahan in favor of veteran Adam Meadows. Foster struggled at times with mental mistakes, the kind that drive coaches and fans crazy.
On March 2, 2007, the Broncos traded Foster along with running back Tatum Bell and a draft pick to the Detroit Lions for CB Dre Bly. He spent two lackluster seasons in Detroit before being released in 2009. After spending the 2009 preseason with the Cleveland Browns, Foster found himself out of football before former Broncos FM Ted Sundquist signed him to a contract to play for the UFL's Omaha Nighthawks. Several former Broncos played for the Nighthawks, including TE Jeb Putzier, DL Demetrian Veal and RB Maurice Clarett.
Another first round pick who lasted just 4 years with the Broncos, a high pick sent packing just when he should reaching his prime. Picks like this one a good reason - among many others - why the Broncos are in the position they are in today.
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