NFL Hidden Gems

By: Sam Tristan

One of the most remarkable aspects of the National Football League is its ability to uncover hidden gems in the later rounds of the draft. While Tom Brady, a sixth-round pick himself, stands as the pinnacle of draft steals, there is another player who has carved out an illustrious career and left an indelible mark on the league: Terrell Davis.

Terrell Davis, selected in the sixth round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, defied all odds to become one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. Hailing from Long Beach, California, Davis was not heavily recruited out of high school and initially played college football at Long Beach State University before transferring to the University of Georgia. Despite a stellar college career, Davis faced skepticism due to injury concerns, which ultimately led to his slide to the sixth round.

Upon joining the Denver Broncos, Davis wasted no time in proving his worth. In his rookie season, he rushed for 1,117 yards and became the first rookie running back in franchise history to start all 16 games. However, it was in the following seasons that Davis truly ascended to greatness. In 1996, he rushed for 1,538 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and cementing himself as one of the premier running backs in the league.

Davis’s crowning achievement came in the 1997 season when he led the Broncos to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. He rushed for 1,750 yards and astonishing 15 touchdowns in the regular season, earning both the NFL Most Valuable Player award and the Super Bowl MVP award. Davis’s performance in Super Bowl XXXII, where he rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns despite battling through excruciating migraine headaches, solidified his place in NFL lore.

Davis was not done yet. In the 1998 season, he reached even greater heights, becoming just the fourth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. His 2,008 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns not only earned him his second NFL MVP award but also propelled the Broncos to their second consecutive Super Bowl victory. Davis’s impact on the field was undeniable, as he possessed a rare combination of speed, power, and vision that made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Unfortunately, injuries derailed Davis’s career prematurely, as knee injuries limited his effectiveness in subsequent seasons. Despite playing only seven seasons in the NFL, Davis left an indelible mark on the league and the Broncos franchise. He finished his career with 7,607 rushing yards, 60 rushing touchdowns, and a reputation as one of the most dominant running backs of his era.

Beyond his individual accolades, Davis’s impact on the Broncos organization and the NFL as a whole cannot be overstated. His perseverance in the face of adversity, coupled with his remarkable on-field achievements, serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of the human will. While Tom Brady may stand alone as the greatest sixth-round draft pick of all time, Terrell Davis undoubtedly deserves recognition as one of the NFL’s most iconic and beloved figures.