Broncos LB Danny Trevathan Has Come Long Way Since Week One Fumble On Goal Line

Broncos outside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Talk about going from one end of the football spectrum to the other.

Second-year linebacker Danny Trevathan made week one’s blooper real after intercepting a Joe Flacco pass and running it back 29 yards only to drop the ball just before he crossed the goal line for a touchdown in celebration. Rather than scoring six points, his move was ruled a fumble.

“That was fairly embarrassing,” John Fox said. “But anyway, he’s a terrific young player. He has worked very hard.”

Fast forward to the AFC Championship game, and Trevathan led the team with eight tackles.

“It helped me grow,” Trevathan said of his week one mistake. “It taught me to be a little bit more humble. I saw those lights, and I’m there—I’m going to go ahead, get my little dance in, do whatever. That was just the young part of me.”

The birth of his daughter also helped him grow during the season.

“I had a little baby girl that I love and she’s just helped me get myself together, helped me grow a lot and get prepared for the rest of this season.”

Trevathan finished the regular season with 129 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles. It’s more than fair to say that he’s the most complete defensive player on the team. He jumped ahead of fellow Kentucky alum Wesley Woodyard in the rotation, and he helped make up for Von Miller’s absence in the sense that he made big plays at key times.

Also like Woodyard, Trevathan is small for is position (6’1, 240 pounds). It obviously doesn’t mean that he can’t make a big impact, however.

Trevathan was taken in the 6th round of 2012 draft, 186 spots later than Miller was selected in 2011. This once again proves that drafting for depth can be just as important as a team’s first selection.

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