The Broncos 2nd round Draft History

To continue with our look at the Denver Broncos history throughout the NFL Draft, we arrive at the 2nd round. In this review, we will keep the ball rolling by using Chad Reuter’s chart linked from thefootballeducator.com as a baseline for this study. In the 2012 Draft, the 2nd round consisted from the 33rd to the 63rd pick. If you recall, the New Orleans Saints forfeited their pick due to the Bounty gate scandal. Reuter states that picks 21-50 have a 35.3% success rate and picks 51-80 a 21.3% rate. This is based upon a player making 56 starts in his first five years.

The Denver Broncos have selected 47 players in their NFL history (from 1967-2011). Only two (4.2%) of those players never suited up in the NFL. Five players (10.6%) played in 4 games or less and fifteen players (31.9%) appeared in less than 50 games.

Six Broncos (12.7%) made it to at least one Pro Bowl, (8.5%) made it more than once and three made All-Pro status (6.3%).

• DT Curley Culp - 6x Pro Bowler, 1x All-Pro
• DE Rulon Jones - 2x Pro Bowler, 1x All-Pro
• RB Glyn Milburn - 2x Pro Bowler, 1x All-Pro
• RB Clinton Portis - 2x Pro Bowler
• LB Ian Gold - 1x Pro Bowler
• DB Tory James - 1x Pro Bowler

I studied the 347 second round draft picks taken in the ten year period between 1998-2008. I found that:

These figures have been updated. See below

• 48 made at least one Pro Bowl (13.8%).
• 26 made it more than once (7.4%).
• 14 were All-Pros at least once (4%).

Primary Starters

100 were the primary starter at their position for 5 or more seasons (28.8%).
Another 139 were the primary starter at their position for 1 to 4 seasons (40%).
So, 239 of 347 were the primary starter for at least one season (68.8%)

17 Broncos were the primary starter at their position for 5 or more seasons (36.1%).
Another 17 were the primary starter at their position for 1 to 4 seasons (36.1%).
34 of 47 Broncos were the primary starter for at least one season (72.3%)

Games Started

46 started 100 or more games (5.9%).
133 started 56 or more games (17.2%).
39 started at least 40, but less than 56 games (11.2%)
6 Broncos started 100 or more games (12.7%).
14 Broncos started 56 or more games (29.7%).
4 Broncos started at least 40, but less than 56 games (8.5%)

Appearances

87 appeared in 100 or more games (25%).
160 appeared in 75 or more games (46.1%).
229 appeared in 50 or more games (65.9%).

17 Broncos appeared in 100 or more games (36.1%).
26 Broncos appeared in 75 or more games (55.3%).
32 Broncos appeared in 50 or more games (68%).

Second rounders should start by their second season if not the first season, or at least push for a starting spot. This can depend on who he is behind and the position he plays. If he is backing up a Pro Bowler in the latter days of his career, this stance could be reconsidered. Definitely should be starting by year three though.

• 2011 - Orlando Franklin - 16 game starter as a Rookie.
• 2011 - Rahim Moore - played 14 games, starting 6 as a Rookie.
• 2010 - Zane Beadles - Started 30 of 32 games in two seasons
• 2009 - Alphonso Smith - Played 15 games as a Rookie before being traded.
• 2009 - Richard Quinn - Played 29 games, starting four in two seasons. Traded in 2011.
• 2009 - Darcel McBath - Played 20 games, starting one in two injury filled seasons. Traded in 2011.
• 2008 - Eddie Royal - Played 57 games, starting 45 in four seasons. Left as a Free Agent after 2011.

The second round has seen a series of misses in the recent past. We have discussed the reasons why on as many occasions. Hopefully that trend has reversed itself now that Adults are back in charge of the Draft selection process for the Broncos. However, only time will tell.
Overall though, Denver has fared pretty well. They are above the general curve in most of the comparisons in this study.

Go Broncos!

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UPDATE: 7/21/2012

I re-figured the stats for the rest of the league for more accuracy. From 1967-2007 (giving the draftees their 5 year window), there were 1188 players selected in the 2nd round of the draft.

• 15 were Hall Of Famers (1.2%)
• 93 (7.8%) were All Pros.
• 218 (18.3%) were Pro Bowlers.
• 435 (36.6%) were the primary starters at their position for 5 or more years.
• 461 (38.8%) started 56 games or more
• 32 (2.6%) were complete Busts (never played a game).