:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48775595/usa-today-7904818.0.jpg)
The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 by the score of 24-10. The winner of the Super Bowl gets the final pick in the first round which comes out to be the 32nd choice.
Well this year, the Denver Broncos will be picking 31st instead. Normally that choice goes to the loser of the Super Bowl, not this year.
Patriots fined $1 million and will forfeit the club’s first round pick in 2016 NFL Draft and fourth round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) May 11, 2015
The New England Patriots were forced to forfeit their first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft after the whole 'Deflategate' nonsense.
So I guess we can thank the NFL and the Patriots for allowing the Broncos to pick one spot earlier than they normally would this year.
Here is the full draft order for the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
| Pick | Team |
| 1 | Tennesse Titans |
| 2 | Cleveland Browns |
| 3 | San Diego Chargers |
| 4 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 5 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 6 | Baltimore Ravens |
| 7 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 8 | Miami Dolphins |
| 9 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 10 | New York Giants |
| 11 | Chicago Bears |
| 12 | New Orleans Saints |
| 13 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 14 | Oakland Raiders |
| 15 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 16 | Detroit Lions |
| 17 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 18 | Indianapolis Colts |
| 19 | Buffalo Bills |
| 20 | New York Jets |
| 21 | Washington Redskins |
| 22 | Houston Texans |
| 23 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 24 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 25 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 26 | Seattle Seahawks |
| 27 | Green Bay Packers |
| 28 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 29 | Arizona Cardinals |
| 30 | Carolina Panthers |
| 31 | Denver Broncos |
*The New England Patriots do not have a first round pick because they are cheaters
Broncos draft history with the 31st overall pick:
The Broncos have picked at the 31st spot twice in their history and those two picks turned into two very good players.
Back in 1999, the Denver Broncos selected linebacker Al Wilson in the first round. He turned into the unquestioned leader of the Broncos and went to 5 Pro Bowls.
Back in 2014, the Denver Broncos selected cornerback Bradley Roby in the first round. The young Roby is only two years into his career but appears to have a very bright future ahead of him. He was a big reason why the Denver Broncos made and won Super Bowl 50.
If the Broncos stay at pick 31 in the 2016 NFL Draft, hopefully, they find themselves another defensive stud.