How have Broncos fared the last 3 times they didn’t have a first-round pick?

Broncos focus on secondary in 2005

The Broncos traded their first-round pick (No. 25 overall) in 2005 to Washington. In return, the team received Washington’s third-round pick in 2005 and their first and fourth-round choices in 2006.

The team’s first choice did not come until pick No. 56 in 2005 and with that choice, they selected Darrent Williams, a cornerback out of Oklahoma State. Though Williams was only in Denver for two seasons before his life tragically ended, he seemed to have an incredibly bright future in the league and likely would have been a Pro-Bowl level player.

The Broncos were intent on adding to the secondary in this draft, selecting defensive backs with each of their next two picks as well, selecting Karl Paymah and Dominique Foxworth. This draft is also memorable for the Broncos as they used their last of three third-round picks to select Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett, one of the biggest “what ifs” in football history.

What did the Broncos get with the selections they received from Washington?

One of the picks they received was used on Paymah. The Broncos would then trade the first-round pick they received from Washington in 2006 to the San Francisco 49ers for their second and third-round picks.

The Broncos used the fourth-round choice obtained from Washington to draft Brandon Marshall and traded the second-rounder they received from San Francisco to obtain Javon Walker in a trade with the Green Bay Packers.

That worked out pretty well for the team.