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Denver Broncos: Ranking every WR ever drafted in second round

By Travis Wakeman

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 24: Eddie Royal #19 of the Denver Broncos runs back a kickoff against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 24, 2011 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo won 40-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 24: Eddie Royal #19 of the Denver Broncos runs back a kickoff against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 24, 2011 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo won 40-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /
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DENVER – OCTOBER 31: Wide receiver Darius Watts #17 of the Denver Broncos gets a touchdown late in the fourth quarter on October 31, 2004, at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Falcons won the game 41-28. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
DENVER – OCTOBER 31: Wide receiver Darius Watts #17 of the Denver Broncos gets a touchdown late in the fourth quarter on October 31, 2004, at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Falcons won the game 41-28. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Marshall. 5. player. Scouting Report. WR. 494. Pick Analysis. DariusWatts

2004

Darius Watts is one of the best players in the history of Marshall, a place where he is near the top of the record books in every statistical category for a wide receiver.

Watts finished his college career with 272 receptions for 4,031 yards and 47 touchdowns. He ranks third in school history in receptions and second in receiving yardage. His 47 touchdowns are the second-most ever, behind only Randy Moss.

In 2004, the Broncos had Rod Smith and a young Ashley Lelie at wide receiver, but the team was pretty thin beyond that. Those names included Triandos Luke, Nate Jackson and Charlie Adams.

So you can see why the team was looking for a wide receiver.

Watts was supposed to come in and be the No. 3 option in the passing game and be the playmaker that he was at Marshall. That didn’t happen.

Watts struggled as a rookie. Though he was targeted 53 times that season, he only caught 31 passes. He had 385 yards receiving and caught just one touchdown pass. In year two, the team already seemed to cut its losses with Watts as he was hardly used and caught just two passes.

The Broncos released him prior to the start of the 2006 season and he was picked up by the New York Giants but flamed out quickly there. He then spent one season with the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League before retiring from the game.

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