The Buffalo Bills used their second-round pick in 2015 on an immediate starter.
A decade later, Ronald Darby is calling it quits.
In between, Darby went on to play for the Eagles (with a Super Bowl), Washington, Denver, Baltimore and Jacksonville.
Darby had signed for the Texans this offseason, but he’s opted to hang up his cleats instead, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Bills chose Darby 50th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, midway through the second round. He played his college ball at Florida State after growing up in the Potomac, Maryland area.
The 5-foot-11 Darby stood out immediately, finishing runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year in his first season when he had two interceptions, 21 passes defensed and 68 tackles.
MORE: Saquon Barkley is at risk of the Madden curse
Darby lasted just one more season in Buffalo before he was traded to the Eagles for a third-round pick (Harrison Phillips) and WR Jordan Matthews.
Darby played three seasons in Philadelphia. His first was the best for a number of reasons.
In 2017, Darby had a career-high three interceptions in just eight games. And the Eagles went on to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
MORE: One of Philip Rivers’ 10 kids is now a 4-star QB recruit
Darby added three total INTs in the next two seasons before his journeyman portion of his career got underway.
Darby didn’t intercept a single pass in his final five seasons in the NFL.
He retires with eight interceptions, 106 passes defensed and 447 tackles.
Just 31 years old, Darby is the latest NFL player to opt to retire a bit early, on the same day Lions lineman Frank Ragnow did the same at just 29 years old.
MORE NFL NEWS:
Read the full article here
