DENVER (AP) -The off-the-field issues surrounding Marcus Thomas didn’t bother Denver as the Broncos traded up to take the Florida defensive tackle in the NFL draft on Sunday.
The Broncos gave Minnesota their final picks in the 2007 draft, a sixth-rounder (No. 176 overall) and a seventh-rounder (No. 233), and also a third-round pick in 2008, to take Thomas in the fourth round (No. 121).
The 6-foot-2, 314-pound Thomas was suspended from the Gators in 2006 by coach Urban Meyer after failing two marijuana tests. He was reinstated, but then kicked off permanently in early November for leaving Gainesville, Fla., to go to Orlando with friends.
The Broncos moved up four spots in the first round Saturday to select Florida defensive end Jarvis Moss with the 17th pick. Moss tested positive for marijuana in the middle of the 2006 season and was suspended for one game.
“It was a real (embarrassing) moment in my life for me,” Moss said.
The Broncos have taken players with a history of problems in the past. Denver selected Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett with a third-round pick in 2005. Clarett was cut before even playing a preseason game.
Thomas played in 41 games with the Gators and had 14 sacks.
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