In 2005, the Denver Broncos drafted troubled running back Maurice Clarett, probably the biggest character risk in that draft.

He failed miserably, not even making it past the first round of cuts in training camp, but two years later the Broncos took another chance. They took defensive tackle Marcus Thomas, another player who slid in the draft because of character issues.

Denver has often tried to find value in off-field risks, through free agency (Daryl Gardener, Travis Henry), trades (Javon Walker) or the draft. This year in the draft, the Broncos stayed clear of any potential problems.

There were no obvious character risks in their class, which included a couple of players who are already married with a child.

"I'm happy with our draft class with the type of character that we did draft," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "I think everybody here could tell with the interviews that we got some quality individuals."

One example of the character in the draft class is Virginia Tech defensive tackle Carlton Powell. He missed the first part of the draft because he was attending a Bible study, something he often does with his parents.

"Faith is my whole life," Powell said.

Others were lauded for their maturity on and off the field. Offensive tackle Ryan Clady, Denver's first-round pick, was accompanied by his father Ross to his introductory press conference with the Broncos, and Ross Clady said his son fits in with the high-character class as well.

"You won't hear anything bad about him," Ross Clady said. "That's not how he was raised. He might have a couple of beers, but going out, toting guns to the airport, things like that -- no."

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