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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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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 06: Linebacker Danny Trevathan #59 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after returning his interception 25 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 6, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 06: Linebacker Danny Trevathan #59 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after returning his interception 25 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 6, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

3. Danny Trevathan, LB

Draft info: 188th overall selection (6th round) of the 2012 NFL Draft

The Denver Broncos have found some gems in the later rounds of the NFL Draft. Danny Trevathan is one of those gems.

Selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2012 draft, Trevathan would be a stellar inside linebacker for the Denver Broncos.

While Trevathan wasn’t a starter his rookie season, he contributed to the Denver Broncos’ defense that season. Trevathan received his first opportunity to start in 2013 and demonstrated to Broncos Country that he had the potential to be special.

He was one of the Broncos’ better coverage inside linebackers and he managed to get several pass breakups out in space. One key moment from Trevathan’s 2013 season was in Dallas when the Broncos and Cowboys were engaged in an epic shootout. The Cowboys had an opportunity to lead their offense down the field on their final drive with a chance to win with a score. Trevathan displayed an unbelievable effort on a diving interception on a pass from Tony Romo.

He started 16 games for the Broncos in 2013 and had 128 total tackles and 10 pass deflections.

In 2014, Trevathan battled a knee injury that kept him out for a majority of the season. He returned in 2014, but had reinjured his knee which would force him out for the rest of the season.

Heading into 2015, the Broncos defense converted to a new philosophy under Wade Phillips. In Phillips’ system, Trevathan demonstrated more of his athleticism and ability to cover. He was tasked with covering running backs or tight ends on the outside in empty sets and he thrived in that role.

He was a pivotal piece of the Denver Broncos historic 2015 Super Bowl winning defense.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, Trevathan would leave in 2016 for Chicago. He is still largely considered one of the best coverage inside backers in the league, and Denver evidently missed his presence in 2016 and 2017. (Predominantly Orange staff writer Cody Roark)

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