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Denver Broncos: John Elway’s top 10 NFL Draft steals

By Sayre Bedinger

SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Malik Jackson #97 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble for a first quarter touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Malik Jackson #97 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble for a first quarter touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – JANUARY 11: Julius Thomas #80 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Indianapolis Colts during a 2015 AFC Divisional Playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 11, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 11: Julius Thomas #80 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Indianapolis Colts during a 2015 AFC Divisional Playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 11, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

4. Julius Thomas, TE

Draft info: 129th overall selection (4th round) of the 2011 NFL Draft

Due to an unfortunate injury history, it took two years for Julius Thomas to come in and make an impact for the Denver Broncos.

When he stepped onto the field fully healthy for the first time, he went on a two-year stretch where he was arguably the best receiving tight end in the game.

In Peyton Manning’s second year with the team, Thomas absolutely exploded with 65 receptions for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns in 14 games. He followed that up in 2014 with another 12 touchdowns on just 43 catches in only 13 games.

The Broncos were enamored by Thomas’ skill set as he transitioned from basketball to football and though he wasn’t a long-term success like Antonio Gates, Denver was able to extract the two best seasons of football out of Thomas, who has had some success in Jacksonville and Miami since his departure from Denver.

If health were not a concern, Thomas might have been a double-digit touchdown player every year since 2013.

The Broncos stole him in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

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