Former Denver Broncos’ linebacker D.J. Williams remembers his draft experience in vivid detail. Speaking with Gil Whiteley and Mark Jackson of Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7, Williams took to time to share his story, and explain how the newest Broncos likely feel as they enter the NFL for their rookie seasons.
“When you go to the combine, you get to meet with each individual team. I didn’t meet with the Broncos,” said Williams. “At that point in time, I didn’t really follow the Broncos and their season. I still thought that they had Al Wilson, Ian Gold, and [John] Mobley.”
Williams didn’t expect the Broncos to take him, since they didn’t show any interest during the pre-draft process. “On draft day, the Jets told myself and Jonathan Vilma that they were going to take one of us in the first round,” Williams explained. “John went to the Jets at 12. The New Orleans Saints called me, and said, ‘we’ve got the 18th pick, and we’re going to take you.'”
Williams was expecting to wait until No. 18, right up until the Broncos gave him a call.
“I’m on the phone talking to my cousin, Donte Stallworth, and one of the New Orleans’ coaches. Then all of a sudden, the Broncos traded up from 24 to 17. My agent pulls me into the room and I see my name go across, and I was like, ‘ugh.’ I was so excited; I wanted to go to New Orleans. I had a cousin there, and I thought they had three stud linebackers.”
Williams’ mindset was quickly changed after arriving in Denver. “But after I got to the facility and met everybody, I was informed I was going to play. Then to get here and to be a part of the city, and to hear about the tradition of the team, I was grateful that I was drafted here.”
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