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Denver Broncos have a mixed history of first-round WRs

By Travis Wakeman

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 5: Wide Receiver Ashley Lelie #85 of the Denver Broncos straight-arms Drayton Florence #29 of the San Diego Chargers during their NFL Game at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2004 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 5: Wide Receiver Ashley Lelie #85 of the Denver Broncos straight-arms Drayton Florence #29 of the San Diego Chargers during their NFL Game at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2004 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO,CA-CIRCA 1988: Ricky Nattiel of the Denver Broncos scores a TD against the Washington Redskins at Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium circa 1988 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO,CA-CIRCA 1988: Ricky Nattiel of the Denver Broncos scores a TD against the Washington Redskins at Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium circa 1988 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Ricky Nattiel, Florida, 1987

Statistically, Lelie was better for the Broncos than Ricky Nattiel, but Nattiel is more fondly remembered for a couple of reasons.

For one, he was part of the famed “Three Amigos” group that helped John Elway in the 1980s that including Vance Johnson and Mark Jackson. He also spent his entire six-year career with the Broncos and never pushed any trade demands on the organization.

The No. 27 overall pick of the 1987 draft, Nattiel caught 121 passes for 1,972 yards and eight touchdowns during his Denver career. He also contributed as a kick returner while playing in two Super Bowls for the team.

Nattiel was the second receiver chosen in 1987, behind only Haywood Jefferies, who went to the Houston Oilers with the No. 20 pick.

The Broncos hoped they could get what “Ricky the Rocket” gave to the Florida Gators during his college career. He posted a decent rookie season with 31 catches before having the best season of his career in 1988 when he caught 46 passes for 574 yards and one touchdown.

He was used a complement to the more accomplished receivers in Johnson and Jackson, but he was also a burner on the outside and with Elway’s cannon arm, he was a serious deep threat for the team.

In Super Bowl XXII against the Washington Redskins, he showed off that ability as he caught a 56-yard touchdown pass on the team’s first offensive play of the game.

But as his career wore on, he became less of a focal point. From 1989-1992, he caught a total of just 44 passes. In 1992, his final season with the team, he suited up for just four games without recording a stat.

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