The Denver Broncos are one of three teams who have never picked first overall in the NFL draft. However, Denver has picked second overall in a draft on two occasions.
First, the Broncos drafted defensive lineman Merlin Olsen at No. 2 in 1962, but he chose to play in the NFL instead of joining Denver in the AFL. Nearly 50 years later, the Broncos went back on the clock at No. 2 and picked pass rusher Von Miller.
Miller went on to help Denver win Super Bowl 50 and he will undoubtedly enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his career has concluded (Miller currently plays for the Buffalo Bills).
The Broncos have also picked fourth overall five times in their history, but only one of those picks (linebacker Mike Croel) played a single down in Denver. Three players chose to play in the AFL in the 1960s and offensive lineman Chris Hinton was sent to the Indianapolis Colts as part of the John Elway trade.
The Broncos have picked fifth overall three times, sixth overall once, ninth overall three times and tenth overall once. Here’s a quick list of the highest draft picks in franchise history, including picks from both the NFL and AFL.
1
1962: Merlin Olsen (2nd overall *did not play for team)
2
2011: Von Miller (2nd overall)
3
1961: Bob Gaiters (4th overall)
4
1964: Bob Brown (4th overall *did not play for team)
5
1966: Jerry Shay (4th overall *did not play for team)
6
1983: Chris Hinton (4th overall *sent to Colts in John Elway trade)
7
1991: Mike Croel (4th overall)
8
1963: Kermit Alexander (5th overall *did not play for team)
9
1972: Riley Odoms (5th overall)
10
2018: Bradley Chubb (5th overall)
11
1967: Floyd Little (6th overall)
12
1965: Dick Butkus (9th overall *did not play for team)
13
1973: Otis Armstrong (9th overall)
14
2021: Patrick Surtain (9th overall)
15
1962: Jerry Hillebrand (10th overall *did not play for team)
