Denver Broncos: Best and worst draft picks of the John Elway era

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 18: Denver Broncos General manager and former player John Elway attends The 2018 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 18: Denver Broncos General manager and former player John Elway attends The 2018 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
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Von Miller
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)

The Best

Von Miller, LB

This is the obvious choice for the best draft pick made by John Elway.

At just 29-years old, Miller has already been considered as one of the best defensive players in the league for a number of years.

The linebacker has 98 career regular season sacks, and 6.5 sacks in seven career playoff games.

Miller is an absolute game-changer. Teams always have to game plan against him, but his speed off the line of scrimmage is almost always unstoppable.

The Broncos were deciding between Miller and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, who was selected with the third overall pick, one spot after Miller was sent to Denver.

Derek Wolfe, DE

With the 36th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Broncos selected defensive end Derek Wolfe.

Wolfe has turned out to be a nasty player on the defensive line. He has recorded 26 sacks and 269 tackles in 96 career games.

The thing I love most about Wolfe is that he does not hide his emotions. When the team is not performing to standard, he calls them out on it.

In my opinion, that’s what a true leader needs to do. He, along with Shelby Harris and Domata Peko, was part of one of my favorite units on the team: the defensive line.

With Peko likely on his way out, Wolfe is going to have to continue getting better. I’m not saying there’s any pressure on him, but there very well could be if Peko leaves.

Danny Trevathan, LB

Trevathan quickly made Broncos Country, and quite possibly the Denver Broncos, realize that letting him go via free agency was not a good decision.

In just his second NFL season, Trevathan recorded 152 tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two sacks.

Trevathan’s defensive coordinator in 2018? None other than the man the Broncos hired as head coach in January: Vic Fangio.

If a reunion is going to happen, now makes the most sense of anything.

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