The Denver Broncos are taking an unconventional path this offseason. They were the last team to sign an outside free agent, and during the NFL draft this past weekend, they were the last franchise to make a selection—simply because they didn't have a pick in the first or second round.

Denver's first-round pick was traded away as part of the Jaylen Waddle deal, and while they initially held a second-round pick, they traded down four spots with the Buffalo Bills on Friday night, slipping just out of the second round entirely.

But here's the good news for Broncos fans: history suggests this could be a blessing in disguise. As DNVR's Zac Stevens pointed out on social media, the last time Denver went without a pick in the first two rounds was back in 1995. That year, they landed a sixth-round gem named Terrell Davis—a player who would go on to become a Hall of Fame running back.

Davis, selected 196th overall, had to fight for every opportunity. Initially buried on the depth chart, he caught the coaching staff's attention during a preseason game when he delivered a punishing hit on San Francisco 49ers returner Tyrone Drakeford. That moment sparked a legendary career: Davis won NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP, two Super Bowl rings, and became one of only seven players in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season.

Of course, it's far too early to compare any of Denver's 2026 draft class to a Hall of Famer. Like Davis, these rookies will need to earn their stripes. They'll get their first chance to impress during rookie minicamp next month.

For a team that's been rebuilding its roster, the Broncos' draft strategy is a calculated risk—but one with a proven track record. Sometimes, the best picks come when you least expect them.