Broncos are 1 of 3 teams who have never picked No. 1 in the NFL draft

The Denver Broncos are one of three NFL teams who have never picked No. 1 overall in the NFL draft, joining the Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks.

However, the Baltimore Colts picked quarterback John Elway first overall in 1983 and later traded him to the Broncos. Ironically, the Colts also picked QB Peyton Manning No. 1 overall in 1998 and he later finished his career in Denver as well.

The Cleveland Browns drafted defensive lineman Courtney Brown first overall in 2000 and he later played one season with the Broncos in 2005. So while Denver has never picked No. 1 overall, three former No. 1 picks have played for the Broncos. 

The highest the Broncos have ever picked themselves is No. 2 overall. Denver landed pass rusher Von Miller with the second pick of the 2011 NFL draft and he went on to win Super Bowl 50 with Denver and Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams. He will undoubtedly go into the Hall of Fame after his career has wrapped up.

Here’s a quick list of the ten highest picks in franchise history, dating back to the team’s time in the AFL. It was not uncommon for top picks to choose to play in the NFL over the AFL in the 1960s.