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Denver Broncos: 4 great individual seasons that are largely forgotten

By Travis Wakeman

DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd #84 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a 41-yard reception against corner back Jason Allen #30 of the Houston Texans during the third quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Broncos defeated the Houston Texans 24-23. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd #84 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a 41-yard reception against corner back Jason Allen #30 of the Houston Texans during the third quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Denver Broncos defeated the Houston Texans 24-23. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Reuben Droughns had 72 career rushing yards before joining the Broncos. /

A fullback crashes the 1,000-yard mark

Reuben Droughns was another great example of what Mike Shanahan could do with almost any running back in his system.

A third-round pick out of Oregon in 2000, Droughns began his career with the Detroit Lions. After two seasons there, he went to the Miami Dolphins for part of one year before coming back to the Motor City.

In his first three seasons in the league, he carried the ball 30 times for 72 yards. Total.

He signed with the Broncos prior to the start of the 2002 season. He was originally pegged to be a blocking fullback for the team and in his first two years in Denver, that is pretty much what he was, carrying the ball just 10 times.

But in 2004, he exploded in a way that no one could have predicted.

That season, the Broncos made Droughns the lead back and he thrived, rushing for an incredible 1,240 yards while adding six touchdowns. To this day, his 1,240 yards rank at No. 8 on the team’s all-time single-season rushing list.

Despite that great season, the Broncos shipped Droughns to the Cleveland Browns the very next season. Looking to beef up the defensive line, the Broncos obtained both Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers in that deal.

Droughns was able to prove that his 2004 campaign wasn’t entirely a fluke as he rushed for 1,232 yards with the Browns, becoming the first player to gain over 1,000 rushing yards for Cleveland in 20 years.

But he ran for just 758 yards the following season and the Browns traded him to the New York Giants the following year. Droughns was quiet in New York and was on the back end of the roster before being out of the league following the 2008 season.

His 2004 season with the Broncos still ranks as one of the most surprising in team history. But that year, his tough, rugged running style helped the Broncos secure a Wild Card spot after posting a 10-6 record.

He rushed for 100 yards six times during that season and had a 30 carry, 193-yard performance against the Carolina Panthers in Week 5.

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