Denver Broncos Draft In Good Hands With John Elway

2011 Draft Class

1st – Von Miller
2nd – Rahim Moore, Orlando Franklin
3rd – Nate Irving
4th – Quinton Carter, Julius Thomas
6th – Mike Mohamed
7th – Virgil Green, Jeremy Beal

The 2011 draft class is by far the best of Elway’s tenure. In the first round he selected linebacker Von Miller who has become one of the NFL’s foremost pass rushers. Miller has 49 sacks in 56 games and is the cornerstone of the Broncos defense although he has had some off field issues concerning banned substances.

Elway also drafted long time starters Rahim Moore, Orlando Franklin, Nate Irving, and Julius Thomas. Moore, Franklin, and Thomas are no longer with the Broncos but all were vital pieces of the 2014 Super Bowl team. Thomas in particular was a steal in the fourth round and has become one of the best tight end in the league.

Elway also drafted starters in Quinton Carter and a potential one in TE Virgil Green in the 4th And 7th round respectively. Mike Mohamed and Jeremy Beal are the only players of that draft class  that did not make a significant impact for the Broncos. Most general managers only draft one or two starters in a draft class so it is remarkable that Elway selected seven players who started more then 30 games for the Broncos in one year.

Next: 2012