Originally by Ranker NFLList RulesPlease rank the players based on their time with the Broncos only
This list ranks the best Denver Broncos of all time. The Denver Broncos are one of the charter members of the original AFL. Formed in 1960, the Broncos early years weren't much to write home about. But a Super Bowl berth in 1978 started the Broncos on a path to greatness and attracted star players to the team. Many of the teams after 1978 featured some of the greatest Broncos players of all time. The Broncos major turning point came when they acquired quarterback John Elway in a blockbuster trade with the Baltimore Colts. Considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Elway took the Broncos to six Super Bowls during his illustrious career in Denver. Elway is one of the best Broncos ever and an all time great.
As legendary as Elway is, he couldn't have gotten to six Super Bowls without a little help. When the Broncos defeated the Packers to capture their first Super Bowl title, it couldn't have done without one of the greatest running backs of all time. Terrell Davis is one of the most beloved Broncos superstars and on the account of his power running, Davis won the MVP of Super Bowl XXXII. Other Bronco greats like Shannon Sharpe, Rod Smith, Ed McCaffrey, and Steve Atwater were on those championship teams. After floundering without Elway, the Broncos picked up another all time great in the form of Peyton Manning. Even with his advanced age, Manning will be considered one of the best Broncos of all time, especially if he's able to capture a Super Bowl title.
This is a list of the best Denver Broncos of all time, including their current roster and Denver Broncos past players. If you notice someone is missing from this list of all time Broncos, feel free to add him. Vote or rerank this list of the greatest Broncos ever according to who you think should be considered the best in this NFL franchise history, then head over and check out the top Broncos kickers ever and best Broncos tight ends.
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2,113363John Elway
QuarterbackBirthplace: Port Angeles, Washington, United States of America
Age: 60
Teams: Denver Broncos
John Albert Elway Jr. (born June 28, 1960) is a former American football quarterback who is currently general manager and President of Football Operations of the Denver Broncos of the National... more2
1,676325Terrell Davis
Running backBirthplace: San Diego, California, United States of America
Age: 47
Teams: Denver Broncos, Georgia Bulldogs football team, Long Beach State 49ers football
Terrell Lamar Davis (born October 28, 1972) is a former American football running back who played for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL) from 1995 to 2001. Davis was elected... more![]()
31,365269Steve Atwater
Safety, Defensive backBirthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Age: 53
Teams: Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Arkansas Razorbacks football
Stephen Dennis Atwater (born October 28, 1966) is a former American football player who spent most of his career playing free safety for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL).... more- 41,722362
Von Miller
Outside Linebacker, Defensive endBirthplace: Dallas, Texas
Age: 26
Teams: Denver Broncos
Vonnie B'Vsean Miller Jr. (born March 26, 1989) is an American football outside linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Miller played college football at Texas A&M,... more - 51,470309
Shannon Sharpe
Tight endBirthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Age: 52
Teams: Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Savannah State Tigers football
Shannon Sharpe (born June 26, 1968) is a former American football tight end who played for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL), as well as a former analyst... more - 61,089228
Rod Smith
Wide receiverBirthplace: Texarkana, Arkansas, United States of America
Age: 50
Teams: Denver Broncos
Roderick Duane Smith (born May 15, 1970) is a former American football wide receiver who played thirteen seasons for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college... more - 71,945478
Peyton Manning
QuarterbackBirthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
Age: 44
Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is a former American football quarterback who played 18 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Indianapolis Colts. Considered... more - 81,495397
Champ Bailey
CornerbackBirthplace: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Age: 42
Teams: Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, Georgia Bulldogs football team
Roland "Champ" Bailey Jr. (born June 22, 1978) is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Georgia, where he earned consensus... more - 9966230
Floyd Little
HalfbackBirthplace: New Haven, Connecticut
Age: 78
Teams: Denver Broncos, Syracuse Orange football
Floyd Douglas Little (born July 4, 1942 - January 1, 2021) was an American football halfback, and a three-time All-American at Syracuse University. In 1967, he was the 6th selection of the first... more - 10737137
Gary Zimmerman
TackleBirthplace: Fullerton, California
Age: 58
Gary Wayne Zimmerman (born December 13, 1961) is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. Zimmerman played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1986 to 1992 and for the... more - 11882210
Karl Mecklenburg
Defensive end, LinebackerBirthplace: Seattle, Washington
Age: 60
Karl Bernard Mecklenburg (born September 1, 1960) is a former football linebacker for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League.... more - 12991241
Ed McCaffrey
Wide receiverBirthplace: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Age: 52
Teams: Stanford Cardinal football, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants
Edward Thomas McCaffrey (born August 17, 1968) is a former professional American football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons. McCaffrey played... more - 13838202
Randy Gradishar
LinebackerBirthplace: Warren, Ohio
Age: 68
Teams: Denver Broncos
Randy Charles Gradishar (born March 3, 1952) is a retired American football linebacker who played in the 1970s and 1980s. A native of Ohio, Gradishar was a two-time consensus All-American for the... more - 14653177
Tom Jackson
LinebackerBirthplace: Cleveland, Ohio
Age: 69
Thomas Louie Jackson, also referred to as "TJ" or "Tommy", (born April 4, 1951) is a former NFL linebacker for the Denver Broncos, where he was part of the "Orange Crush Defense". Jackson was a major... more - 15724181
Chris Harris
Strong Safety, SafetyBirthplace: Little Rock, Arkansas
Age: 38
Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions
Chris Harris may refer to: Chris Harris (actor) (1942–2014), English performer and writer specialising in pantomime and comic acting Chris Harris (author) (born 1964), English business author Chris... more - 16761188
Craig Morton
QuarterbackBirthplace: Flint, Michigan
Age: 77
Teams: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants,a Denver Broncos
Larry Craig Morton (born February 5, 1943) is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Denver Broncos. He played... more - 17530116
Haven Moses
Wide receiverBirthplace: Los Angeles, California
Age: 74
Haven Christopher Moses (born July 27, 1946) is a former professional American football player. He played professionally for fourteen seasons as a wide receiver in the American Football League (AFL)... more - 18597162
Tom Nalen
Offensive Lineman, CenterBirthplace: Foxborough, Massachusetts
Age: 49
Teams: Denver Broncos
Thomas Andrew Nalen (born May 13, 1971) is a former American football center who played for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He was born in Boston and raised in Foxborough,... more - 19689178
John Lynch
SafetyBirthplace: Hinsdale, Illinois
Age: 49
Teams: Stanford Cardinal football, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos
John Terrence Lynch Jr. (born September 25, 1971) is a former American football strong safety and the current general manager of the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He... more - 20483109
Lionel Taylor
Wide receiverBirthplace: Kansas City, Missouri
Age: 85
Lionel Thomas Taylor (born August 15, 1935) is a former American football wide receiver who led the American Football League (AFL) in receptions for five of the first six years of the league's... more - 21628180
Dennis Smith
SafetyBirthplace: Santa Monica, California
Age: 61
Dennis Smith (born February 3, 1959) is a retired American football player. He played professionally as a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Denver Broncos from 1981 until 1994. ... more - 2238277
Rich Jackson
Defensive endBirthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana
Age: 79
Richard Samuel Jackson (born July 22, 1941) is a former American football player. He played college football for Southern University. Jackson played for the American Football League's Oakland Raiders... more - 23664216
Jason Elam
PlacekickerBirthplace: Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Age: 50
Teams: Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons
Jason Elam (born March 8, 1970) is a former American football placekicker. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft and played 15 seasons with the Broncos and two... more - 24532162
Mark Schlereth
GuardBirthplace: Anchorage, Alaska, United States of America
Age: 54
Teams: Idaho Vandals football, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos
Mark Frederick Schlereth (; born January 25, 1966) is a former professional American football player and current television and radio sportscaster. Schlereth played guard in the NFL for 12 seasons... more - 25423106
Riley Odoms
Tackle, Tight endBirthplace: Luling, Texas
Age: 70
Riley Mackey Odoms (born March 1, 1950) is a former American football tight end. He played college football at the University of Houston. In 1971, he had 45 catches for 730 yards and 8 TD after... more
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