The Denver Broncos released him after he served his suspension for breaching the NFL's drug abuse policy. Prater established NFL records for consecutive field goal conversions of 50+ yards (14 field goals) and 55+ yards (14 field goals) with the Lions in 2016 and 2017. (seven field goals). The Lions also used his legs as a punt returner, with Prater returning 74 punts for 924 yards (12.4 average) and one touchdown over the past two seasons. He entered the NFL in 2013 as a rookie free agent from Ohio State, where he played in 42 games over four years, completing 90 of 136 passes for 1,327 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions while serving a three-game suspension to start the 2015 season. The Broncos signed him to a five-year contract worth up to $45 million with $10 million in guaranteed money. He was expected to compete with Brandon Allen for the job as the team's starting quarterback this year but was beaten out by Allen. In 2014, his first season with the Broncos, he completed 60 percent of his passes for 3,802 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while playing in all 16 games. He had two straight 200-yard games against Pittsburgh and San Diego before being sidelined for three games due to an elbow injury. He returned at midseason and led the Broncos to a playoff berth before losing to New England in the divisional round.