Denver Broncos: A look at past ninth-overall NFL draft picks

The Denver Broncos own the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. That’s the second-highest pick they have had since the 2011 Draft in which they selected star pass rusher Von Miller.

The other was a player at the same position—Bradley Chubb in 2018.

When it comes to some of the history of the ninth overall pick, there have been some pretty darn good ones.

To get a full list of the past ten 9th overall picks, let’s go to Predominantly Orange writer Cameron Parker:

Denver Broncos: 9th overall pick history

CJ Henderson, CB, Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars got the best cornerback in the 2020 NFL Draft by selecting C.J. Henderson out of Florida. Henderson did not have the greatest of rookie seasons, but the potential is there.

The upside with Henderson is his ability to cover. It’s no surprise to see a rookie cornerback struggle—even if he was one of the top at this position. He will be fine.

In this draft, the Broncos held firm at the 15th pick, taking wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Wide receiver was the obvious choice and they took the second receiver off the board.

Ed Oliver, DL, Bills

In 2019, the Buffalo Bills took star defensive tackle Ed Oliver. That selection has been decent minus his off-field issues.

Oliver has recorded 76 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and five pass deflections in two seasons.

In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Broncos originally held the 10th overall pick and would have been in a position to trade up had they wanted Oliver.

Instead, they traded down ten spots with the Pittsburgh Steelers and took tight end Noah Fant.

Mike McGlinchey, T, 49ers

Mike McGlinchey has played 100 percent of the 49ers’ snaps in two of three seasons on the offensive line.

He has allowed five sacks in each of his three seasons in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Broncos held the fifth overall pick in this draft and took outstanding pass rusher Bradley Chubb. There have been many people discussing how the team should have taken quarterback Josh Allen with this pick, but that’s not the story of this article, as Allen was selected two picks prior to McGlinchey.

John Ross, WR, Bengals

The top-10 of the 2017 NFL Draft was (kind of) heavy with wide receivers. By the time the tenth pick rolled around, three receivers were already off the board, including John Ross to the Bengals.

Ross obviously had the potential to be a player who would be dominant for Cincinnati but injuries have plagued his career. He has played in just 27 games over the last four seasons.

In this draft, the Broncos held the 20th pick. They took Utah tackle Garett Bolles. Bolles ultimately struggled throughout the first few years of his career but turned things around in 2020 to earn a contract extension.

Leonard Floyd, OLB, Bears

Leonard Floyd spent four seasons with the Bears but signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. The Rams appear to have figured out how to use Floyd the right way, as he recorded 10.5 sacks in 2020. That’s not to say he was bad for Chicago—he recorded seven sacks in his rookie year.

It’s just that sometimes a change of scenery will make a player better.

In 2020, Floyd blitzed the quarterback 94 times, according to Pro Football Reference.

I hate to remind people who the Broncos took in this draft. Although, you probably do not need a reminder.

That player was Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, who ultimately became a trade-up gone wrong.

The Broncos gave up the 31st and 94th overall pick to move up to draft Lynch. Had they known what the entire league knows now, they should have used a second or third-round pick on quarterback Dak Prescott, who the Cowboys selected with a compensatory pick.

Ereck Flowers, T, Giants

Ereck Flowers did not have a particularly good stint with the Giants as their ninth-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Flowers started 48 games for the Giants from 2015 to 2018, giving up 18 sacks, and being called for 38 penalties. He was released

Flowers has also spent time with Jacksonville, Washington, and Miami. He played left guard the entire 2019 season in Washington.

Ultimately, Flowers has not been a phenomenal pick with the ninth overall selection.

Anthony Barr, LB, Vikings

Anthony Barr was a first-round selection in the 2014 draft by now-Broncos general manager George Paton.

Barr has made four Pro Bowls,

In 2021, Barr’s cap hit will be over $15 million, which is pretty big for a player who missed all but two games in 2020 due to a season-ending injury.

Dee Milliner, CB, Jets

Dee Milliner could have had a decent career had it not been for injuries he suffered during his time with the New York Jets.

Milliner spent just four years with the Jets and was never picked up by another team. His career ended in 2016.

Kevin Williams, DT, Vikings

In 2003, the Minnesota Vikings took defensive tackle Kevin Williams out of Oklahoma State.

He made an immediate impact on defense, as he led the team with 10.5 sacks as a rookie. He followed his rookie season up with 11.5 sacks in 2004 and finished his career with 63. Williams started his career as a defensive end but ultimately switched to defensive tackle, where he played the rest of his career.

Williams missed just five games in his eleven years with the Vikings.

Otis Armstrong, RB, Broncos

Otis Armstrong spent eight seasons with the Denver Broncos after being drafted in 1973.

Amstrong accumulated over 4,400 rushing yards, including a 1,400+-yard season, and a 1,000-yard season.

Armstrong was pretty good in his time, with these accolades to add to his resume:

• Pro Bowl Selection (1974 & 1976)
• Highest Approximate Value (1974)
• Most Rushing Yards (1974)
• Most Yards per Rushing Attempt (1974)
• Most Rushing Yards per Game (1974)
• Most Yards from Scrimmage (1974)

Haven Moses, WR, Bills

Many Broncos fans will recognize the name Haven Moses, as he spent most of his career in Denver after being drafted by the Buffalo Bills.

Moses finished his career with nearly 450 receptions, and over 8,000 receiving yards. He also had 57 receiving touchdowns, including 44 with the Broncos.

Moses entered the Broncos’ Ring of Fame in 1988.

Potential Hall of Famers taken with 9th pick

Luke Kuechly, LB, Panthers

Luke Kuechly is a player that I would have absolutely loved to be on the Broncos.

A guy who had so much heart for his team and the game of football, Kuechly was just a likable player. The unfortunate thing with Kuechly is that he suffered several concussions and some shoulder injuries.

Kuechly had 18 interceptions, almost 1,100 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, and seven forced fumbles.

He made seven Pro Bowls and was a 5-time first-team All-Pro.

Brian Urlacher, LB, Bears

Alright, just to be clear, Urlacher is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Urlacher spent 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2000, and Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.

Bruce Matthews, G, Oilers

Bruce Matthews is one of the best offensive linemen in NFL history and was the anchor of the Oilers’ offensive line for 19 years.

He was a 14-time Pro Bowler, a 9-time first-team All-Pro, made the PFWA All-Rookie team, as well as the 1990’s All-Decade team.

Matthews played all across the offensive line, making him one of the most versatile offensive players in NFL history.

Thoughts

There are some great players who were taken at this spot in the past, and some who just didn’t work out.

Of course, every draft will be different. The NFL Draft is hit or miss and there are certain things to keep in mind:

1.) The value of a position is different than it was twenty, thirty years ago.

2.) The game is so much different than it was in the past. Even just within the last ten years, rules of the game could have an impact on a player’s draft position.

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3.) The Broncos need to take the best player that fits their system.