Sergio Kindle

Denver traded up into the first round at pick 25 overall to select Tim Tebow, sending second-, third-, and fourth-round picks to Baltimore. The trade-up price was real: Baltimore used those picks to draft Sergio Kindle, Ed Dickson, and Dennis Pitta — a haul that included two long-term contributors. Tebow became a cultural phenomenon and delivered an unforgettable playoff run, but the cost in draft capital for a non-traditional quarterback proved steep.

Denver traded Brandon Marshall to Miami for two second-round picks, moving on from a high-end receiver while recouping strong draft value. Marshall remained productive after leaving Denver, but the Broncos secured fair compensation and used the situation to reset the roster. Both sides had a defensible case, making this closer to a balanced football trade than a fleece.