When the Denver Broncos selected Ryan Clady with the 12th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the team knew they were getting a player who had all the upside in the world. Though a little bit raw and with concerns in his demeanor in the run game, he drew comparisons to long-time offensive lineman Chris Samuels and became the highest drafted player from Boise State and earliest investment the franchise had made in an offensive lineman since Chris Hinton in 1983.
His career started out magnificently, starting every game as a rookie in 2008 and only allowing a half sack and being charged with only three penalties.