Broughton was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round (88th overall) of the 1985 NFL draft.[1] He was also selected by the Orlando Renegades in the 1985 USFL Territorial Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 15 games with one start at left defensive end, making 17 tackles one sack and 2 quarterback pressures.
In 1986, he started the first 8 games at nose tackle, after the team released veteran Brad White. He was limited by a neck injury the rest of the season. He posted 34 tackles, one sack, one quarterback pressure and one fumble recovery.
In 1987, he injured a knee in training camp and was placed on the injured reserve list on August 4.
On July 5, 1988, he was signed as a free agent.[2] He was waived on August 23.[3]
In 1989, his college coach Jimmy Johnson gave him a tryout and ended up signing him on July 18. He started 14 out of 16 games, while registering 92 tackles (fifth on the team), 3 sacks and 2 passes defensed.
In 1990, he only played in 4 games as backup defensive tackle. He suffered a lower back strain before the fifth game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was placed on the injured reserve list. He was cut on August 20, 1991.[4] He was not re-signed after the season.
Broughton spent a year out of football rehabilitating his back, before being signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Raiders in 1992. He appeared in 16 games with 8 starts at left defensive tackle.[5] He had 42 tackles and one sack.
On August 30, 1993, he was released and re-signed the next day.[6] He appeared in 15 games as a backup, making 4 tackles and one sack.
Broughton did not play in 1994, after being declared inactive in 9 games. He also was limited with a right elbow injury that he suffered in a preseason drill. He was released on November 14.
On November 23, he signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins, after Craig Veasey was lost to injury.[7] He was declared inactive in 5 games. He was not re-signed after the season.
On June 2, 1995, he was signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Raiders. On August 28, he was traded to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a draft choice (#220-Sedric Clark).[8]
In 1995, he appeared in 16 games with 10 starts at left defensive end and nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. He had 31 tackles, 2 sacks and one pass defensed.
In 1996, he appeared in 14 games with 5 starts at right defensive tackle, he tallied 22 tackles (16 solo) and 2 sacks. He was placed on the injured reserve list on December 19.[9] He was cut on July 18, 1997.[10]