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Denver Broncos: Looking back on team’s history with No. 15 overall pick

By Travis Wakeman

Special to Philadelphia Daily News: File Picture: 21 Sep 1997: Linebacker John Mobley #51 of the Denver Broncos celebrates during the Broncos 38-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn
Special to Philadelphia Daily News: File Picture: 21 Sep 1997: Linebacker John Mobley #51 of the Denver Broncos celebrates during the Broncos 38-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /
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San Diego Charger LaDainian Tomlinson (R) fends off Denver Bronco cornerback Deltha O’Neal as he drives for yardage in the second quarter, setting up his third touchdown on 01 December 2002, at San Diego Qualcomm Stadium. AFP PHOTO/TOM KURTZ (Photo by TOM KURTZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read TOM KURTZ/AFP via Getty Images)
San Diego Charger LaDainian Tomlinson (R) fends off Denver Bronco cornerback Deltha O’Neal as he drives for yardage in the second quarter, setting up his third touchdown on 01 December 2002, at San Diego Qualcomm Stadium. AFP PHOTO/TOM KURTZ (Photo by TOM KURTZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read TOM KURTZ/AFP via Getty Images) /

After winning back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998, the Broncos plummeted to 6-10 in 1999. That gave them the No. 15 overall pick in 2000 and they used that selection on Deltha O’Neal.

O’Neal was the first defensive back off the board that year. He was coming off an incredible senior season at Cal in which he was named a First-Team All-American. That year, he set an NCAA record by returning four interceptions for touchdowns.

He was only used sparingly as a rookie and fears started to creep in that he would be a first-round bust. But he rebounded with a phenomenal 2001 season in which he racked up nine interceptions, leading to a trip to the Pro Bowl.

On October 7, 2001, in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, O’Neal had four interceptions, tying the NFL single-game record. That feat has only been matched once since (DeAngelo Hall in 2010).

He played for the Broncos for two more seasons after that but never posted the kind of numbers that he did in 2001 again.

In 2003, Mike Shanahan decided to see if O’Neal could be Deion Sanders, putting him on offense as a receiver. He also had him returning punts and kicks. Though O’Neal was a speedster, he was never able to have the impact all over the field that Sanders did.

Following the 2004 season, O’Neal seemed to be unhappy with the Broncos’ organization and as a result, was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals. The teams swapped first-round picks and the Broncos also gave up a fourth-round choice that year in order to move up to No. 17 in the draft.

That pick was used to select D.J. Williams, a linebacker out of Miami who would go on to be part of the team’s defense for many years.

O’Neal continued his career with the Bengals and many would argue he was better for them than he was in Denver. He had a career year in 2005, tying for the league lead with 10 interceptions. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl again that year.

O’Neal is the only player on this list that didn’t play his entire career with the Broncos, so the team has a good track record with the No. 15 overall pick.

There is no guarantee that the Broncos will select a player at No. 15 — they could trade out of it — but with this being one of the deepest drafts in many years, if the Broncos do indeed make a pick at No. 15, there is a good chance their track record of success with that pick continues.

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