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Five draft picks that fooled the Denver Broncos

By Tylor Walden

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 25: General view as the Denver Broncos wait to select during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 25: General view as the Denver Broncos wait to select during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Willie Middlebrooks
CINCINNATI – OCTOBER 25: T.J. Houshmandzadeh #84 of the Cincinnati Bengals tries to catch a pass against Willie Middlebrooks #23 of the Denver Broncos on October 25, 2004 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

CB Willie Middlebrooks – Drafted in 2001 (First Round, 24th Overall)

The Denver Broncos were coming off their first playoff appearance in the post-John Elway era. The team was looking to improve on defense, especially seeing how they only scored three points against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round the previous season.

With little help in the secondary, the Denver Broncos decided to use their first round pick during the 2001 NFL Draft on a cornerback in Willie Middlebrooks. While it appeared it would work out, he could not make an impact on the stat sheet.

As a matter of fact, in the 56 games that he played as a member of the Denver Broncos, he was able to rack up tackles. But he only recorded one sack during his four years in Denver. What is worse is that he did not record a single interception.

He was able to get a fumble recovery, but that was as much of an impact that he brought to the table in Denver. The writing was on the wall regarding his time with Denver when the team was able to trade for Champ Bailey. Middlebrooks would come back for one more season in Denver, but did not last.

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