7 Best All-Time Players In Denver Broncos History

The Denver Broncos , who played their first season in the American Football League (AFL) in 1960, have had some amazing players in their ranks over the past 60-odd years. The Broncos have won three Super Bowls in franchise history and won two on the trot in 1998 and 1999.

However, some iconic players in the NFL such as Peyton Manning do not make this list as they played the majority of their careers with other franchises.

John Elway

When it comes to a list of the best Denver Broncos players ever, former No. 1 overall pick QB John Elway has to make the cut.

Elway is the most successful quarterback for the franchise and led the Broncos to an outstanding five Super Bowl appearances. Despite losing the first three of those, Elway walked off into the sunset after winning Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII.

Drafted in 1983, Elway spent all 16 of his years with the Broncos where he earned a Super Bowl MVP, an NFL MVP, and made nine Pro Bowls. He was most known for his ability to scramble in the pocket and evade tackles as well as for his powerful arm.

The Washington native is a member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame. Denver has also retired his jersey No. 7.

Rod Smith

Rod Smith was another member of the Broncos teams that won Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII. He was the No. 1 receiver for Elway and contributed heavily in both wins.

Smith’s career could not have gone any differently, as he came into the team as an undrafted free agent in 1994. However, by the time his career came to an end, Smith had amassed over 11,000 receiving yards and 68 touchdowns from 839 receptions.

The three-time Pro Bowler is also a member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Von Miller

Von Miller played for the Denver Broncos from 2011 through 2021 (although he missed the 2010 season due to injury). Miller is known to be one of the best edge rushers to have stepped foot on the turf. His abilities include speed, strength, and agility which cause problems for the opposition.

Miller, who was the No. 2 overall pick by Denver in 2011, was an immediate force to reckoned with and became the central figure of the Broncos’ defense. The linebacker had one of his finest games in Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers in which he had 2.5 sacks, one of which was a late game-ending strip-sack.

Although Miller is still playing, he is a future Hall of Fame member without a doubt.

Karl Mecklenburg

What sets Karl Mecklenburg apart from most defenders in the NFL is that he was able to play a variety of positions or roles for the Broncos. He was equally adept as a pass rusher, run stopper and a sound tackler.

One of the best and hardest hitters of the game, Mecklenburg was an essential part of the Broncos’ defense in the 80s which made three trips to the Super Bowl.

The former Bronco is a 4-time First-team All-Pro, 6-time Pro Bowler, and a member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.

Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe was a major contributor to the Broncos receiving corps during the 90s and an essential member of the back-to-back Super Bowl winning teams in the late 90s. Though he played the tight end position, Sharpe was naturally gifted as a receiver and had much more athleticism than most tight ends.

Of the 14 seasons he played in the league, he spent 12 of those with the Broncos. He went on to win a third Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens and finished his career back in Denver as a four-time First-team All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler and a member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. Most importantly, Sharpe was also inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Sharpe holds the NFL record for the most receiving yards in a game by a tight end with 214.

Champ Bailey

Champ Bailey who was drafted by Washington spent the major portion of his career in Denver. He is known to be one of the finest cornerbacks to ever the game. His high intellect, speed, and athleticism were all attributes that made him a lockdown corner.

With the ability to take away the best wide receivers from the game, Bailey was so good that he rarely gave up any touchdowns and made quarterbacks think twice before sending the ball in his direction.

In his career, Bailey made four First-Team All-Pro, four Second-Team All-Pro, and 12 Pro Bowls. Bailey is inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Terrell Davis

The last member on this list who also was part of the consecutive Super Bowl wins in the late 90s includes former running back Terrell Davis. If it wasn’t for his early retirement at the age of just 29 years due to injuries, Davis would have gone on to become an even greater player.

He was the catalyst of the Broncos’ first Super Bowl victory rushing, for 157 yards and three touchdowns which awarded him the Super Bowl MVP.

Davis was an exceptional running back who rose through the ranks despite being drafted in the sixth round. His combination of speed, toughness, and vision meant he would run through opposing defenses at will while breaking tackles all along.

In his short seven-year career, Davis managed to win the NFL MVP Award and was named the Offensive Player of the Year twice. He is a member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame and is also inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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