The NFL's Top 50 Draft Classes of the Decade: No. 19 Denver Broncos, 2002

Team Achievements: 72-52, 3 playoff berths, only one losing season.

The Broncos' 2002 Selections: Ashley Lelie, WR, Hawaii (No. 19)
Clinton Portis, RB, Miami (No. 51)
Dorsett Davis, DT, Mississippi State (No. 96)
Sam Brandon, S, UNLV (No. 131)
Herb Haygood, WR, Michigan State (No. 144)
Jeb Putzier, TE, Boise St. (No. 191)
Chris Young, S, Georgia Tech (No. 228)
Monsanto Pope, DT, Virginia (No. 231)

Class Accolades: Ashley Lelie -168 receptions, 3,007 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns in 4 seasons in Denver, No. 1 in yards per reception in 2004 (20.1) and 2005 (18.3).
Clinton Portis - Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2002, 2003 Pro Bowl, 3,099 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, 71 receptions in 2 seasons with Denver, No. 3 in touchdowns in 2002 (17).
* Portis traded to Washington for Champ Bailey and second-round pick (Tatum Bell) in 2004.
Jeb Putzier - 77 receptions, 1,087 yards in four seasons with Denver.
Monsanto Pope - 61 games played in four seasons with Broncos.

* Champ Bailey - 3-time All-Pro, 5 Pro Bowls, 28 interceptions, 430 tackles in Denver
* Tatum Bell - 2,342 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns in first 3 seasons with Denver.

Overall Draft Analysis: Portis proved tremendously valuable as the Broncos' featured running back for two seasons in Devner, and subsequently, as trade bait for Bailey and a second-round draft pick (Bell). The No. 51 pick transformed into the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year, producing an astonishing 3,099 rushing yard in two seasons with the Broncos. Portis also set the record for most yards per carry by a running in his first two seasons, with an eye-popping 5.5 yards per rush average. The trio of running backs, (William Green, T.J. Duckett, and Deshaun Foster) selected prior to Portis, remain remarkably inferior. In 2004, Denver promptly traded Portis to Washington, in exchange for All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey and Tatum Bell (ultimately). The team recorded three consecutive double-digit win seasons after the trade (and three playoff berths), while Bailey's dominance has continued throughout the decade. Bailey's longevity in Denver may ultimately secure the shutdown corner's induction into Canton royalty. Additionally, Bell respectably assumed running back responsibilities in Denver, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt in three seasons with the Broncos.

Lelie provided big-play potential for the Broncos, but failed to meet the team's lofty expectations. A myriad of issues, on and off the field, mired the promising career of the former University of Hawaii standout. Eventually, the team traded the frustratingly talented receiver in 2006. Putzier proved an above-average receiving tight end, during a four-year stint with the Broncos. Pope remains the only other significant contributor from the '02 class. Inevitably, the draft class provided considerable value to the Broncos' organization. Portis performed as one of the league's most elite rushers, while Bailey, arguably, ranks as the decade's most talented coverage cornerback.

The Broncos' "Perfect Draft" in Retrospect
(Keeping Trades, Only Same Position Players Eligible)
No. 19 - WR Antonio Bryant, No. 51 - RB Clinton Portis, No. 96 - DT Rocky Bernard, No. 131 - S Jermaine Phillips, No. 144 - WR Ronald Curry, No. 191 - Jeb Putzier, No. 228 - S Ryan Clark (Undrafted), No. 231 - Ma'ake Kemoeatu (Undrafted).

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