Denver Broncos: Selecting all new players in 2008 re-draft

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 24: Quintin Demps #21 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Soldier Field on September 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 24: Quintin Demps #21 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Soldier Field on September 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 15: Duane Brown #76 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 15: Duane Brown #76 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Original Pick:

New Pick:

Ryan Clady was a very good pick for the Broncos back in 2008. He protected quarterbacks such as Jay  Cutler, Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning during his time in Denver. He made four Pro Bowl appearances for the team.

But in the case of this exercise, Clady will not be a member of the Broncos. Instead, with the 12th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Broncos select another franchise left tackle in Duane Brown.

Brown has been very good during his 12-year NFL career, which began with the Houston Texans and has continued with the Seattle Seahawks.

He has made four Pro Bowls, including three straight from 2012-2014 and then another in 2017.

Brown was also named a first-team All-Pro in 2012 and has been a second-team All-Pro twice (2011 and 2018). If the Broncos don’t get Ryan Clady, they get another great player to protect the quarterback’s blindside.

Original Pick:

New Pick:

Eddie Royal was a nice target for young gunslinger Jay Cutler and the other quarterbacks who threw him the ball. He started 45 of 57 games played and caught 206 of 363 targets for 2,107 yards and nine touchdowns in Denver.

Royal also was a solid return man, returning 81 punts for 967 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 57 kick returns for 1,375 yards and one touchdown on punt returns for the Broncos.

DeSean Jackson has had a longer, more productive career, which is ongoing unlike Royal’s. While Royal wasn’t a bad pick, Jackson is the better selection.