Pick Six: Broncos’ all-time draft busts
Published: March 22nd, 2011 | Tags: Pick Six, Brian Griese, Corey Chavous, Dan Williams, Deltha O'Neal, Drew Brees, Jarvis Moss, LaMarr Woodley, Marcus Nash, Mike Shanahan, Patrick Surtain, Robert Smith, Ted Gregory, Terrell Davis, Thurman Thomas, Tommy Maddox, Willie Middlebooks
Are the Broncos already done with Tim Tebow? There Broncos are reportedly doing their due diligence on the current crop of quarterbacks available in the draft. An indictment of Tebow? That is for others to decide. But if the Broncos were to pull the trigger on a quarterback, would Tebow qualify as the biggest bust in club history?
Nah. Let’s count down the top six draft busts in Broncos’ history.
6. CB Willie Middlebrooks, 24th overall, 2001
The Broncos were so pleased with the selection of CB Deltha O’Neal the previous season, Mike Shanahan went cornerback again. Middlebrooks played four seasons with Denver, made two starts and had no interceptions during his tenure.
Could have had: It’s unfair to put Drew Brees here because QB Brian Griese was coming off a Pro Bowl season, so how about Reggie Wayne?
5. DE Jarvis Moss, 17th overall, 2007
Moss had character issues coming out of the draft, but the Broncos still moved up to take him. Moss started only one game in four seasons for the Broncos before landing with the Raiders.
Could have had: LB LaMarr Woodley. Enough said.
4. WR Marcus Nash, 30th overall, 1998
Nash did have a productive pro career, posting five consecutive 1,000-yard season — in the Arena Football League. Nash played only 10 games for the Broncos — making one start — in two seasons in Denver and had only four NFL receptions.
Could have had: The Broncos were coming off a Super Bowl, but the team went strong safety in the second round so Corey Chavous would have been a good pick. Or CB Patrick Surtain would have been nice.
3. DE Dan Williams, 11th overall, 1993
The Broncos moved first- and third-round picks to take Williams, whose best years came with the rival Chiefs.
Could have had: Part of me wants to say RB Robert Smith, but would that mean that RB Terrell Davis never plays in Denver? I’ll play it safe and go with DT Dana Stubblefield.
2. DT, Ted Gregory, 26th overall, 1988
Gregory was listed as 6-foot-1, which came as a surprise to coach Dan Reeves who noted that he was taller than the defensive tackle from Syracuse — after the draft. Gregory didn’t even make it through training camp before he was shipped off.
Could have had: How about RB Thurman Thomas, who was selected in the second round? The 1990s might have been a little bit different.
1. QB, Tommy Maddox, 25th overall, 1992
This is painful to say as a season ticket holder for the XFL’s Los Angeles Xtreme. I mean, Maddox has delivered Los Angeles’ most recent professional football championship, but his tenure with the Broncos was nothing but a disaster.
Could have had: Well, coach Reeves could have had a better relationship with his QB John Elway if he had chosen to skip this pick and instead take WR Carl Pickens. Although, you can reason that this led to Reeves’ dismissal and the arrival of Shanahan and, to an extent, Davis.
Was Maddox the biggest bust in Broncos’ history?