The best trade in Broncos franchise history? That’s easy. It’s the deal that sent John Elway to Denver for a package of draft picks and afterthoughts.
If the Elway trade is No. 1 on the list, that must make the trade that landed Jay Cutler on Draft Day ’06 1a. All the Broncos gave up to ascend four spots in the first round was a third-rounder, which they eagerly shipped to the Rams for the 11th selection.
As critical as the Cutler selection was to the future of the franchise, it’s the rest of that draft that has given it the distinct look of the best in team history. Even without a third-rounder, the Broncos also came away with Tony Scheffler in Round 2, followed two rounds later by Brandon Marshall and Elvis Dumervil.
Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned Round 5, where the Broncos grabbed starting right guard Chris Kuper. Or their third pick in Round 4, which turned into Domenik Hixon, who has become one of the league’s premier kick returners with the Giants.
It would be one thing to trade a pile of draft picks and come away with Cutler, a franchise quarterback in the making. But the Broncos added several other pieces that day, including Marshall, who has emerged into arguably the best wide receiver in the league.
Cutler and Marshall. Two Ring of Famers in waiting, assuming Marshall can keep his nose clean. Did I say Ring of Famers? No less an authority than Rod Smith says, by the time he’s through, Marshall will have Hall of Fame numbers.
Not that the draft of ’06 was an important day in franchise history, but, 20 years from now, we’ll look back and proclaim it as the day that bailed out Mike Shanahan’s legacy. With Cutler and Marshall around, he may yet win more Super Bowls.
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He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
