Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we maintain and update our existing Top 50 lists annually.  We are pleased to present our pre-2026 revision of our top 50 Denver Broncos.

As for all of our top 50 players in football, we look at the following: 

1.  Duration and Impact.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Football League.

3.  Advanced Statistics.

4.  Playoff performance.

5. Their respective legacy on the team.

6. How successful the team was when he was there.

7. Respecting the era in which they played.

Criteria 1-4 will make up the lion’s share of the algorithm.  Please note that we have implemented this for the first time.  This has changed the rankings all throughout the board.

Last year, the Broncos had an outstanding regular season, finishing 14-3, and beating Buffalo in the first round, only to fall to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.  Two players rose, and one new entrant entered the conversation based on the 2025 season.

As always, we present our top five, with no changes occurring.

1. John Elway
2. Von Miller
3. Shannon Sharpe
4. Champ Bailey
5. Randy Gradishar

You can find the complete list here:

Cornerback and former MVP Patrick Surtain II rocketed an even dime from #30 to #41.

Offensive Lineman Garrett Bolles makes his debut on the list.  He is ranked at #42.

Wide Receiver Courtland Sutton moved up two spots to #45.

We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we maintain and update our existing Top 50 lists annually.  As such, we are delighted to present our post-2024 revision of our top 50 Denver Broncos.

As for all of our top 50 players in football, we look at the following: 

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Football League.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles that are not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, the Broncos overachieved by going 10-7 and making the playoffs, only to lose to Buffalo in the opening round.  There were no fluctuations, but two new entrants to the Top 50.

As always, we present our top five, which remain unchanged.

1. John Elway
2. Von Miller
3. Shannon Sharpe
4. Champ Bailey
5. Randy Gradishar

You can find the entire list here.

Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II makes his debut on the list at #41.

The second new entrant is Courtland Sutton, who enters at #47.

We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.

When the Denver Broncos made Patrick Surtain II the ninth overall pick in the 2021 draft—the second defensive back selected behind Jaycee Horn—they landed a true blue-chip cornerstone. The Alabama product carried NFL pedigree and refined technical polish, stepping directly into the secondary and delivering a flawless All-Rookie campaign that signaled a star was born.

Surtain elevated his game into elite territory during his sophomore campaign in 2022. Blessed with long arms, elite recovery speed, and a high football IQ, he routinely eliminated opposing top targets in single coverage, capturing First-Team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection. He backed that up with a second consecutive Pro Bowl nod in 2023, solidifying his reputation as the premier shadow cornerback in the league.

2024 would be a golden season for Surtain. Opposing offensive coordinators practically erased his half of the field, targeting him just 62 times all year. When quarterbacks did dare throw his way, Surtain punished them, holding passers to a microscopic 59.1 passer rating and allowing a league-low 326 yards in coverage. He snagged four interceptions—highlighted by a momentum-swinging 100-yard pick-six against the Raiders—and added 11 pass deflections. That total dominance earned him NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar as only the second Bronco in franchise history to claim the award.

Surtain remained the heartbeat of Denver's defense in 2025, securing his fourth straight Pro Bowl nod and earning Second-Team All-Pro honors. Even while battling a midseason pectoral strain, his presence helped Denver's unit dominate down the stretch, and he returned for the postseason to help drive the Broncos all the way to the AFC Championship Game. Entering the 2026 season for his sixth NFL campaign, Surtain sits firmly atop the league as the undisputed gold standard at cornerback.

Thus far, he has compiled 12 interceptions, 59 pass deflections, 279 combined tackles, two forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns.