Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado in 1997, Matt Lepsis entered the league having played tight end for the Buffaloes. Denver’s legendary offensive line coach Alex Gibbs saw the potential for a swift, agile tackle ideally suited for Gibbs’ zone-blocking scheme, converting Lepsis to the offensive line, where he spent his rookie year learning the ropes and contributing on special teams during Denver's Super Bowl XXXII championship season.

Lepsis earned a full-time starting job in 1999 at right tackle, becoming the key protector on Denver's right side and contributing to the squad's repeat title run in Super Bowl XXXIII. His elite lateral movement made him a force in the run game, helping pave the way for a long line of 1,000-yard rushers, including Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis, and Reuben Droughns.

His positional versatility shone through in 2004 when the Broncos asked him to slide over to left tackle to replace long-time anchor Gary Zimmerman's successor, Ephraim Salaam. Lepsis handled the transition seamlessly, locking down the quarterback's blind side for the remainder of his career. Over an extraordinary stretch from 1999 through 2007, he was a steady presence in the trenches, starting 133 out of 134 games he appeared in and only missing significant time due to a torn ACL midway through the 2006 season.

Despite consistently putting together textbook film, Lepsis was repeatedly overlooked for national honors like the Pro Bowl, operating as one of the league's most underrated edge blockers. He retired following the 2007 campaign, walking away on his own terms after a decade spent entirely in Mile High. Lepsis played in 150 regular-season games with 133 starts.

Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Temple in 1979, Steve Watson entered pro football with zero fanfare, yet developed into one of the most productive deep threats in franchise history. After working his way up through special teams, Watson earned a starting role at wide receiver in 1981 and immediately took the league by storm.

Watson's breakout 1981 season saw him catch 60 passes for 1,244 yards, leading the NFL with a staggering 20.7 yards per catch and a league-best 13 receiving touchdowns. That stellar performance earned him his sole career Pro Bowl selection and Second-Team All-Pro honors, establishing him as the focal point of Denver's passing attack.

He remained a high-volume weapon as John Elway assumed the quarterback reins in 1983. Watson posted back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 1984 (1,170 yards) and 1985 (1,157 yards), placing him in the top ten league-wide in receiving yards in both seasons. His ability to track deep passes downfield provided Elway with a trusted target during the early signature drives of his career.

Watson served as a key contributor on two AFC Championship squads, starting at wide receiver in Super Bowl XXI and appearing in Super Bowl XXII. A steady veteran presence until his retirement after the 1987 season, he walked away ranked near the top of every major receiving category in team history.

Watson played in 126 games with 353 receptions, 6,112 receiving yards, and 36 receiving touchdowns.

Selected out of little Yankton College in the fourth round of the 1971 draft, Lyle Alzado made an immediate splash in Colorado. Originally brought in as depth, he was thrust into a starting role as a rookie following an injury and responded with eight sacks. His fiery intensity and unhinged playing style quickly turned him into an iconic fan favorite in Mile High long before he ever donned Silver and Black.

Alzado was an absolute terror off the edge throughout the 1970s. In 1972, he posted 10.5 sacks while leading the entire NFL with five opponent fumble recoveries. By 1974, he logged a team-high 13.0 sacks, establishing himself as one of the premier interior and edge disruptors in pro football.

His finest season in Denver arrived during the magical 1977 campaign. Operating as the premier pass-rushing menace of the legendary "Orange Crush" defense, Alzado spearheaded the front seven with 8.0 sacks and 80 tackles. He was named the UPI AFC Defensive Player of the Year, earned a Consensus First-Team All-Pro selection, and garnered his first career Pro Bowl nod while leading Denver to its first-ever AFC Championship and Super Bowl XII appearance.

He backed that up with a second Pro Bowl trip and Second-Team All-Pro honors in 1978. However, contract disputes and a rift with management led to a bitter trade to Cleveland before the 1979 season, cutting his Mile High tenure short before he eventually won a ring with the Raiders and his profile exploded nationally.

With the Denver Broncos, Alzado had 64.5 unofficial sacks, 593 tackles, 14 fumble recoveries, and a safety.