The Denver Broncos’ most disappointing draft pick in recent memory

The Denver Broncos have had their fair share of great first round draft picks. They have also had not so great picks. Who is the most disappointing?

As we enter NFL Draft week in 2019, Denver Broncos Country is buzzing with activity, discussion, and debate over what John Elway and Co. will do with the 10th overall pick. Will they go QB at #10, or will they draft the best player available?

That question will be answered Thursday evening.

For now, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and look back on the Broncos draft history.

We all love to remember the draft picks that made us feel good and gave us great memories (Von Miller, Demaryius Thomas, Steve Atwater, Ryan Clady). However, let’s take a look back on the most disappointing draft picks made by the Broncos in recent memory.

It’s safe to say that the Broncos’ success rate in recent draft history is questionable; in the past 10 years, only three former first-round picks are still on the Broncos roster- Von Miller, Garett Bolles, and Bradley Chubb. However, a select number of these players did make contributions to the team while on the team, most notably Demaryius Thomas, a future Ring of Famer.

One of these 10 players stands alone as the most disappointing pick in recent memory, maybe even a top disappointment in Broncos history. So, who is it?

John Elway became the man of the hour in the 2016 NFL draft when he traded up with the Seattle Seahawks to grab quarterback Paxton Lynch from Memphis with the 26th overall pick in the first round.

This was immediately received as a head-scratching move, as Lynch had generally not been considered a first-round talent and more than likely could have gotten him with the 31st overall pick. Nonetheless, the media and John Elway himself felt they had found their QB of the future, set to compete with Trevor Siemian for the starting gig.

At the start of training camp, Broncos Country was nervous, obviously mourning the end of the Manning years, but anxious to see Paxton Lynch in action. However, Trevor Siemian won the starting job, and Paxton Lynch’s number was not called until Week 4 against the Buccaneers in place of the injured Siemian.

The Broncos capped a 27-7 win with Lynch finishing 14-of-24 and 1 TD. He would finish the season with three games played, two of which were starts, with 497 yards and 2 TDs.

While what we had seen of Lynch was hard to decipher, it was only his rookie season and he had plenty of time to improve.

Then 2017 brought misfortune.

Lynch would only start and play in two games in 2017, neither with pretty results.

In Week 12’s loss against the Raiders, he went 9-of-14 for 41 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and was sacked four times. His last game for the Broncos was Week 17’s close loss to the Chiefs. He was 21-of-31 on the game, throwing two touchdowns, but also throwing two interceptions and was sacked five times.

The quarterback Elway traded up to get played in a total of five games and started in four before being cut.

His final QBR as a Denver Bronco? 25.7, as per ESPN.

Lynch is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks, where he will serve as Russell Wilson’s backup. Realistically, Lynch was never a first round talent and could have likely been nabbed in the second or third round.

Perhaps he will have a successful career as a backup, but I just don’t feel that was possible for him in Denver, with so many expectations that he failed. I think he is easily the most disappointing first-round pick in recent Broncos history, if not, frankly, ever.

Sorry to recall bad memories, Broncos Country. Hopefully, Thursday’s pick brings us much more happiness.