The NFL's Top 50 Draft Classes of the Decade: No. 15 Denver Broncos, 2006

Team Achievements: 23-25, three consecutive AFC West runner-up finishes.

The Broncos' 2006 Selections: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt (No. 11)
Tony Scheffler, TE, Western Michigan (No. 61)
Brandon Marshall, WR, Central Florida (No. 119)
Elvis Dumervil, DE, Louisville (No. 126)
Domenik Hixon, WR, Akron (No. 130)
Chris Kuper, G, North Dakota (No. 161)
Greg Eslinger, C, Minnesota (No. 198)
* Broncos received No. 11 pick from Rams for No. 15 pick and third-round pick.

Class Accolades: Jay Cutler - 17-20 record in Denver, Pro Bowl in 2008, 54 touchdowns and 37 interceptions, No. 3 in yards in 2008 (4,526), 25 touchdowns in 2008
Tony Scheffler - 138 career receptions, 1,896 yards, and 14 touchdowns.
Brandon Marshall - 2 Pro Bowls, 327 career receptions, 4,019 receiving yards, 25 touchdowns, 3 consecutive seasons of 100+ receptions.
Elvis Dumervil - All-Pro and Pro Bowl in 2009, 43 career sacks, No. 1 in sacks in 2009 (17).
Chris Kuper - Three-year starter, 42 games started.

** Traded Cutler and fifth-round pick to Bears for Kyle Orton, first-round pick (Robert Ayers) and third-round pick in 2009 (traded to Steelers), and Chicago's first-round pick (No. 11) in 2010.
** Kyle Orton - 8-8 in 2009, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, 3,802 passing yards.
** Robert Ayers - 19 tackles, 0 sacks in 2009.

Overall Draft Analysis: In terms of talent, the Broncos' rivals any class of the past decade. However, the class has yet to reach the postseason, Cutler plays for the Bears, and Marshall's days in Denver appear numbered. Nonetheless, the class produced five regular starters and three Pro Bowlers, thus far. Cutler's subsequent trade offers considerable value (two first-round picks and Orton) to the Broncos, yet, Ayers struggled as a rookie and Orton played to mixed results. The Broncos desperately need to select a difference-maker with the Bears' No. 11 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Ultimately, the jury remains out on Cutler and the exchange in general, but Cutler's struggles in 2009 certainly help reassure the Broncos' split fan-base. Denver's fourth-round selections, Marshall and Dumervil, have undoubtedly emerged as bona fide NFL superstars. Marshall recorded 100+ catches and 1,100+ receiving yards for the third consecutive season in 2009, while posting a career high ten touchdowns. The Louisville "sack-machine" led the NFL with 17 sacks in 2009, garnering All-Pro consideration, in the process.

Scheffler and Kuper have proven considerable contributors as regular Broncos' starters. Scheffler ranks amongst the AFC's second-tier of tight ends, while Kuper remains a pleasant fifth-round surprise selection. The Broncos promptly cut the team's late-round picks, Hixon and Eslinger, prior to the 2006 season. Ultimately, the Broncos' '06 class remains amongst the most talented (and disappointing) drafts of the decade. Head Coach Josh McDaniels appears ready to extract considerable value from Marshall, leaving the Broncos' future mired in uncertainty, consequently rendering a final verdict impossible and implausible.

The Broncos' "Perfect Draft" in Retrospect
(Keep trades, only same positions are eligible)
No. 11 - QB Jay Cutler, No. 61 - TE Owen Daniels, No. 119 - WR Brandon Marshall, No. 126 - DE Elvis Dumervil, No. 130 - WR Marques Colston, No. 161 - G Chris Kuper, No. 198 - C Chris Morris.

References: All statistics and draft results as reflected on NFL.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com.