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NFL 100: Best players in Denver Broncos history

10. DL/LB Karl Mecklenburg (1983–1994)

(Stephen Dunn /Allsport)

Another player that deserves more consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Mecklenburg lined up seemingly everywhere in Denver’s defense during his 12-year career. A six-time Pro Bowler and a four-time first-team All-Pro, Mecklenburg helped the Broncos reach three Super Bowls during his career and is a member of the team’s Ring of Fame. His 79 sacks rank third in franchise history.

9. LB Randy Gradishar (1974–1983)

(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Gradishar is yet another former Broncos defender who should already be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was the leader of the “Orange Crush” defense and helped the team reach Super Bowl XII. A seven-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro, three-time second-team All-Pro and 1978 Defensive Player of the Year, Gradishar is a member of the Broncos’ Ring of Fame.

8. S Steve Atwater (1989–1998)

(George Rose/Getty Images)

Atwater appears to be building momentum for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and it seems to be only a matter of time before he ends up in Canton. Atwater helped the Broncos reach three Super Bowls, winning two of them in the late 1990s. He was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a two-time first-team All-Pro and a one-time second-team All-Pro during his 11-year career. A member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team and the Broncos’ Ring of Fame, Atwater ranks sixth among safeties on the team’s all-time interceptions list (24).

7. QB Peyton Manning (2012–2015)

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Manning spent most of his career with the Colts, but Denver won the AFC West all four years he played for the Broncos and he led the team to two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl 50. A 14-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Super Bowl champion, Manning set NFL records with 5,477 passing yards and 55 passing touchdowns during the 2013 season, earning his fifth NFL MVP award.

6. OLB Von Miller (2011-present)

(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Miller could probably retire today and still end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He dominated Super Bowl 50 and earned Super Bowl MVP honors after recording 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. A seven-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro, four-time second-team All-Pro and the 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Miller has recorded more sacks (98) than any other player in Broncos history.

5. CB Champ Bailey (2004–2013)

(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Bailey was a lockdown cornerback, shutting down receivers on his side of the field seemingly every game. Some quarterbacks still tested Bailey, though, and he led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2006 and was the runnerup for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Bailey was voted to 12 Pro Bowls during his 15-year career, more times than any other cornerback in NFL history. A member of the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team and the Broncos’ Ring of Fame, Bailey was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

4. RB Floyd Little (1967–1975)

(AP Photo)

Known as “The Franchise,” Little put the Broncos on the map in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He led the league in rushing yards in 1971 (1,133) and scored more touchdowns than any other running back in 1973 (12). A five-time Pro Bowler, Little is a member of the team’s Ring of Fame, and his No. 44 is retired. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

3. TE Shannon Sharpe (1990–1999, 2002–2003)

(Jamie Squire /Allsport)

Sharpe won one Super Bowl with the Ravens and two Super Bowls with the Broncos during his 14-year career. The eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro is a member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team and the Broncos’ Ring of Fame. He ranks third in receiving yards (8,439) and receiving touchdowns (55) on the team’s all-time list. Sharpe was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

2. RB Terrell Davis (1995–2001)

(Brian Bahr /Allsport)

Davis’ career was cut short by a knee injury, but he was the best running back in the league when healthy. A two-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro, Davis won league MVP and Super Bowl MVP honors in the 1998 season. He is one of just seven players in NFL history who have rushed for 2,000 yards in a season, and he is Denver’s all-time leader in rushing yards (7,607) and rushing touchdowns (60). Davis was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

1. QB John Elway (1983–1998)

(MARK LEFFINGWELL/AFP/Getty Images)

Elway spent his entire 16-year career in Denver and helped the Broncos reach five Super Bowls, winning two. He was named the NFL’s MVP in 1987 and was selected to nine Pro Bowls during his career. A member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team and the Broncos’ Ring of Fame, Elway is Denver’s all-time leader in passing yards (51,475) and touchdown passes (300). The Broncos have retired Elway’s No. 7, and he now serves as the team’s general manager. He won a third Super Bowl, this time as an executive, when Denver defeated the Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

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