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Revealing the 5 best second-round picks in Denver Broncos history

By Travis Wakeman

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Clinton Portis #26 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on September 22, 2002, at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won 28-23. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
DENVER - SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Clinton Portis #26 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on September 22, 2002, at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won 28-23. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos, Clinton Portis
SAN DIEGO – SEPTEMBER 14: Running Back Clinton Portis #26 of the Denver Broncos runs against the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 2003 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 37-13. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) /

2002. 3. 834. . . RB. Clinton Portis. player

With pick No. 51 in the 2002 draft, the Broncos chose Miami running back Clinton Portis, who was coming off what most would consider an average college career with the Hurricanes.

Those Miami teams were always loaded with NFL talent so it wasn’t until his junior season that Portis was able to post big numbers, rushing for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. He decided to forego his senior season at that point, entering the draft.

The Broncos snagged him and put him in their system which at that time, churned out 1,000-yard rushers no matter who the running back was. Portis became one of the best young runners in the league.

He posted two monster seasons with the Broncos in 2002 and 2003, rushing for over 1,500 yards in each and scoring 29 touchdowns on the ground. He added 71 receptions for 678 yards and two more touchdowns.

Portis was well on his way to pushing Terrell Davis as the team’s all-time leader in rushing yardage but following that 2003 season, the Broncos decided to make one of the biggest swaps in NFL history, sending Portis to Washington for Champ Bailey.

Portis would be higher on this list had he spent more than two seasons in Denver, but his two terrific seasons allowed the Broncos to use him as a piece to acquire one of the best cornerbacks in league history.

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