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- NFL Draft 2012
- Apr 29:
- Derek Wolfe, Broncos' top draft pick, reaches his NFL dream
- Apr 27:
- Versatile Ronnie Hillman reaches NFL dream with Broncos
- Broncos' pick QB Brock Osweiler says Denver's a "perfect fit"
- Derek Wolfe a surprise pick by Broncos at NFL draft, but not lacking confidence
- NFL draft: Broncos busy building with three picks on Day 2
- Apr 26:
- NFL draft: Broncos trade down twice, out of first round
- Colts seleccionan a quarterback Luck primero en el draft
- NFL draft: Broncos trade down twice, out of first round
- Apr 25:
- Denver Broncos' AFC West rivals full of hope before NFL draft
- Apr 24:
- Height always big deal in draft
- Stories related to the NFL
- Jan 5:
- Equipos de la NFL disputan ronda de wild cards
- Jan 2:
- Arrasar en la campaña regular no es garantía en la NFL
- Dec 30:
- 49ers ganan División Oeste de Conferencia Nacional
- Dec 21:
- NFL: Empieza a definirse panorama de playoffs
- Dec 13:
- AFC West roundup: Might this division soon see three coaching changes?
- Dec 11:
- Broncos more concerned about winning than following race for top seeds
- Dec 5:
- Pese a desempeño, Sánchez es titular en los Jets
- Dec 1:
- Police: Chiefs' Belcher kills girlfriend, self
- Nov 30:
- Bears' Brandon Marshall: Viagra used for "edge"
- Nov 28:
- Denver y los Broncos buscan ser la sede del Súper Tazón de 2018
- Denver Broncos
- Feb 17:
- Rockies Helton addresses DUI arrest for first time publicly
- Feb 13:
- NFL Draft strengths in 2013 match what Denver Broncos need most
- Feb 2:
- Adrian Peterson named NFL MVP; Peyton Manning NFL comeback player
- Jan 31:
- Denver seeks formal invite to bid for Super Bowl
- Jan 28:
- John Elway wants youth to be big part of Denver Broncos' future
- Jan 17:
- Colorado governor paying off lamb chop Broncos bet
- Jan 15:
- Denver Mayor Hancock injured warming up to pay off Broncos bet with Ray Lewis dance
- Jan 14:
- John Elway defends Broncos coach John Fox's decision to run out clock
- Jan 13:
- In Broncos playoff loss to Ravens, little details were a big deal
- Jan 12:
- Tras dos alargues, los Ravens vencen a los Broncos
Lewis Grizzard once wrote, "If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes." So it shouldn't come as a surprise that the first round of the seven-round NFL draft gets the most attention.
This year's draft is April 26-28, and the Broncos have the 25th pick of the first round. They have six picks overall, skipping only the sixth round.
Denver did OK in the second round last year, drafting UCLA safety Rahim Moore (45th overall) and Miami offensive tackle Orlando Franklin (46th). As rookie seasons go, the Broncos batted .500 on those two. Franklin was a full-season starter and helped the Broncos lead the NFL in rushing. Moore, however, didn't play well.
To keep improving, the Broncos have to bat better than .500 in the first three rounds of the draft.
The bottom of last year's second round produced some big hits. Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith was the 26th pick of the second round, Browns wide receiver Greg Little the 27th pick of the second round, Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas the 30th pick of the second round and Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb the 32nd pick of the second round. All made immediate contributions to their teams.
Smith had 50 catches, seven for touchdowns. Little led the Browns in receptions. Thomas rushed for 581 yards. Cobb caught 25 passes and scored on punt and kickoff returns.
Want more proof that you don't have to be a first-round draft pick to be a successful NFL player? Denver's highest-paid player in the 2012 season will be defensive end Elvis Dumervil. He was a fourth-round pick (126th overall) in the 2006 draft.
Jeff Legwold: jlegwold@denverpost.com
