Ranking the 16 greatest Broncos players ever, from Peyton Manning to John Elway

The Denver Broncos have been around as an NFL franchise since their club merged with the AFL in 1970. They have been consistent in their success as a playoff team in the Super Bowl era with eight conference championships and three rings to show for it.

They have had the good fortune to see plenty of offensive and defensive stars wear the orange, navy and white over the years, with many contributing to that success.

AllSportsPeople ranks the 16 best players in Broncos history, from one QB who helped Denver win its most recent Super Bowl to another QB who led the team to repeat as Super Bowl champs.

Players were ranked based on a points system made up of nine categories. Points from a scale of 1-10 were assigned based on each player's strength in a particular category and added up for a final score.

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16. Jason Elam (1993-2007)

Accolades: 15 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Jason Elam cracks the top 10 of made field goals all time and during his time in Denver, he was known for his range and clutch kicking, including a then record-tying 63-yarder in 1998. Elam was from Georgia and went to college in Hawaii, but he was beloved in Denver for his reliable Mile High deliveries.

Place in Broncos history: With 1,786 points, Elam is far and away the top scorer in franchise history, well ahead of Brandon McManus. 

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15. Louis Wright (1975-1986)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 4-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN's list: Louis Wright was the Broncos' first star cornerback from the mid 1970s to mid 1980s, living up to his coverage potential as a first-round draft pick from San Jose State. Wright was an ace ballhawk with his 26 interceptions but also developed a quick reputation as a shutdown cover man.

Place in Broncos history: Wright started a strong secondary tradition in Denver with his consistent, stellar play, one that has continued with 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II. For all his Broncos honors, he should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

MORE: Louis Wright only CB on All-Decade Team of the 1970s not in HOF

14. Dennis Smith (1981-1994)

Accolades: 14 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL combined tackles leader

Why he made SN's list: Dennis Smith was a fine rangy cover safety also known for his hard-hitting cleanup style, and he was raised to another level by teammate Steve Atwater. A first-round pick from USC, Smith was versatile with his 30 interceptions and 15 sacks.

Place in Broncos history: Smith played like an extra linebacker to the point he has the team record with 1,152 credited tackles in his 184 games.

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13. Tom Jackson (1973-1986)

Accolades: 14 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 1-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN's list: At 5-foot-11, 220 pounds and deemed undersized for an outside linebacker, Tom Jackson fell to the fourth round of the 1973 draft coming out of Louisville. But the Broncos soon found that that he was plenty big as a playmaker. Jackson also was the heart and soul, inspiring his defensive teammates to consistent success and come through with two AFC championships.

Place in Broncos history: Jackson, a main member of the "Orange Crush" defense, was beloved by the Broncos' players and fans alike with his ability to rack up key sacks, tackles and interceptions, flying around the field with great effort. His affable nature served him well as an award-winning analyst on ESPN known most for his "NFL Primetime" highlights commentary.

MORE: Tom Jackson retires from broadcasting in 2021

12. Gary Zimmerman (1993-1997)

Accolades: 5 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 1-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: The Hall of Fame offensive tackle was signed late in his career after his stellar time with the Minnesota Vikings, and Gary Zimmerman wasted no time with his impact as a dominant blocker and a line leader who lifted a young group into one of the NFL's best fronts, helping QB John Elway and running back Terrell Davis have big seasons in Mike Shanahan's system.

Place in Broncos history: Zimmerman wasn't in Denver long but left an important legacy in the team's consistent offensive line strength and raised the team's overall competitive spirit to overcome past Super Bowl disappointment with Elway. 

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11. Floyd Little (1967-1975)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 1-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL rushing yards leader, 1-time NFL rushing TDs co-leader

Why he made SN's list: Floyd Little, coming out of the rich Syracuse running back tradition that included Jim Brown and Ernie Davis before him, didn't disappoint as Denver's No. 6 overall pick in 1967. Little came through not only as a prolific and versatile workhorse, but also a key offensive leader as a captain throughout his career. Until Terrell Davis, no one packed more rushing punch as a Bronco than Little, who had an apt surname for a 5-foot-10, 195-pound dynamo.

Place in Broncos history: Little was the face of the franchise when it needed more national attention in Denver, embracing that star role for a team just breaking into the NFL. Even though he didn't get a chance to play in the playoffs, he paved the way for the Broncos being a better AFC contender.

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10. Karl Mecklenburg (1983-1994)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 4-time first-round All-Pro 

Why he made SN's list: Karl Mecklenburg, nicknamed "the Albino Rhino", was a terrific inside pass rusher and prolific tackler from his inside linebacker spot. He also was adept in coverage for his 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame with a nose for forcing takeaways. Mecklenburg wasn't part of the earlier "Orange Crush" linebacker corps featuring Tom Jackson and Randy Gradishar, but he was a strong extension from the early 1980s to early 1990s.

Place in Broncos history: Mecklenburg ranks third all-time behind only Von Miller and Simon Fletcher with his 79 career sacks for Denver. He is one of the most beloved Broncos as long-time valued member of the community in Colorado.

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9. Rod Smith (1995-2006)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 1-time NFL receptions leader, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Rod Smith went from undrafted out of Missouri Southern to become an essential go-to guy for John Elway's Super Bowl winning breakthrough in the Broncos' loaded offense under Mike Shanahan. Smith was a sharp route-runner with good hands, getting open in key possession situations playing off speedier Ed McCaffrey.

Place in Broncos history: Smith has the Broncos' career triple crown, No. 1 in receptions (849), receiving yards (11,389) and receiving TDs (68), besting Shannon Sharpe and the late Demaryius Thomas.

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8. Randy Gradishar (1974-1983)

Accolades: 10 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Why he made SN's list: Randy Gradishar got his Hall of Fame due with the Class of 2024 after his dominance at linebacker in the mid-to-late 1970s. Playing on the inside and flanking fellow second-level star Tom Jackson, Gradishar was a tackling and coverage nightmare who seemed to play much bigger than his 6-foot-3, 333-pound frame.

Place in Broncos history: Gradishar played hard and fast throughout his time as a Bronco, living up to his athletic pedigree as a first-round pick from Ohio State. Only a handful of Denver defenders who succeeded him had more impact on the team.

BENDER: Who is Randy Gradishar? Meet star of 'Orange Crush' defense 

7. Peyton Manning (2012-2015)

Accolades: 4 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL MVP, 1-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, NFL Comeback Player of the Year, 1-time NFL passing TD leader, 1-time NFL passing yards leader, 1-time NFL completion percentage leader, 1-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: The Broncos and Peyton Manning needed each other in the 2012 season. Denver was coming off a mess at QB. Manning missed his final year in Indianapolis with a concerning neck injury. But at 36, he had enough elite Hall of Fame play left in him to restore the AFC championship and Super Bowl glory the team needed long after John Elway retired. In 2013, winning his fifth MVP, he set career highs of 5,477 passing yards and 55 TDs.

Place in Broncos history: Manning wasn't in Denver for long but his impact was immeasurable, helping to lift the offense until the defense could lift him to his second Super Bowl ring, allowing him to ride off into the sunset and retire with a ring a la Elway.

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6. Steve Atwater (1989-1998)

Accolades: 10 seasons, 8 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Steve Atwater was a Hall of Fame hard-hitter who followed the tradition of mentor and teammate Dennis Smith. A first-rounder out of Arkansas in 1989, he had the quickness and instincts to blow up running plays like an extra linebacker at 6-foot-3, 218 pounds. He also was valuable in coverage, with 24 career interceptions.

Place in Broncos history: Atwater was known as "The Smiling Assassin" for the joy he had playing football and the ferocity with which he played defense. That style will be forever loved by Broncos fans as the ultimate enforcer who helped the team win a lot of big games.

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5. Von Miller (2011-2021)

Accolades: 10 seasons, 8 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2-time Super Bowl champion, 1-time Super Bowl MVP

Why he made SN's list: Von Miller, taken No. 2 overall in the 2011 draft out of Texas A&M, immediately lived up to his potential as a prolific pass rusher with 11.5 sacks as a rookie. Starting on the inside and moving to full-time EDGE duty at outside linebacker in the ideal 3-4 scheme for his explosive talents, Miller took over games vs. The pass and run. Miller came through vs. 2011 No. 1 pick Cam Newton in Super Bowl 50, winning MVP with a record 5 sacks.

Place in Broncos history: Miller is the all-time Broncos leader with his 110.5 regular-season sacks. The Broncos wouldn't have won a ring with Peyton Manning without Miller. With his continued strong play for the Rams and Bills, Miller is headed toward the Hall of Fame.

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4. Shannon Sharpe (1990-2003)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls, 4-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN's list: Taken in the seventh round out of small Savannah State in 1990, Shannon Sharpe changed his college receiving position and ended up as a Hall of Fame tight end, later joined in Canton by NFL wideout brother Sterling. Shannon was a prolific receiver for his position and became one of John Elway's most trusted targets. He was also known for his big personality, which translated to a prosperous career in broadcasting after he retired from his on-field work.

Place in Broncos history: Sharpe is second in career team receptions (675), third in receiving yardage (8,439) and third in receiving TDs (55). Flipping him to tight end early turned him into a special mismatch, allowing him to post three 1,000-yard receiving seasons. 

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3. Champ Bailey (2004-2013)

Accolades: 10 seasons, 8 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL interceptions leader

Why he made SN's list: Acquiring Champ Bailey in a blockbuster trade with Washington during his prime for running back Clinton Portis turned out to be a great deal for Denver, giving them his best seasons as future Hall of Fame shutdown and ball-hawking cornerback. Bailey was the super-athletic captain of the secondary and allowed the Broncos to be more aggressive with their defensive scheming.

Place in Broncos history: Bailey came to the Broncos in the middle of his career but was the ideal bridge from past strong corner play with Louis Wright and others to what the team had in Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Tailb and later, Pat Surtain II.

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2. Terrell Davis (1995-2001)

Accolades: 7 seasons, 3 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro, 1-time NFL MVP, 2-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 1-time NFL rushing yardage leader, 2-time NFL rushing TD leader, 2-time Super Bowl champion, 1-time Super Bowl MVP

Why he made SN's list: Terrell Davis didn't have a long career, but the supernova nature of his time in Denver got him into the Hall of Fame and high on this list as the best Broncos running back ever. A sixth-round steal out of Georgia, Davis pounded out a 2,008 rushing-yard season with 21 TDs in his prime to win MVP and power a Super Bowl repeat. Jon Elway needed Davis to get his two rings. Davis, before succumbing to knee injury issues and retiring, set the tone for consistent high rushing production in the Mike Shanahan zone-blocking running game.

Place in Broncos history: Davis, with his 7,607 rushing yards, 60 rushing TDs and 4.6 yards per attempt, is the all-time leading rusher for Denver and one of the most impactful players in winning multiple championships with dominant heavy work.

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1. John Elway (1983-1998)

Accolades: 16 seasons, 9 Pro Bowls, 1-time NFL MVP, 1-time NFL passing yards leader, NFL Man of the Year, two-time Super Bowl champion, 1-time Super Bowl MVP

Why he made SN's list: John Elway played in the era of Joe Montana and draft classmates Dan Marino and Jim Kelly and was still able to stand out with his strong arm, valuable athleticism and clutch play in big games. It looked like there might be heartbreak with three AFC championships without a ring in the prime of his career, but getting attached to coach Mike Shanahan, running back Terrell Davis and several top offensive performers lifted him to consecutive Super Bowl wins to end his brilliant Hall of Fame career.

Place in Broncos history: Elway is easily the Broncos' all-time passing leader in yards (51,475) and TD passes (300). He was beloved as much for his toughness and old-school durability as he was for fearless downfield passing, doing whatever it took with his legs and his fourth-quarter comeback mode, ranging from "The Drive" to the "Helicopter" in the Super Bowl.

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