Drafted 14th overall in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft from Ohio State, Randy Gradishar came to Denver with glowing praise from legendary Buckeyes coach Woody Hayes, who famously called him the best linebacker he ever coached. Throughout a career spanning over a decade, all in Denver's colors of brown, gold, and orange, Gradishar became the cornerstone of Denver's defense, growing to be the heart, mind, and spirit of the celebrated "Orange Crush" era.

Gradishar combined sideline-to-sideline range, textbook tackling form, and unmatched pre-snap recognition. Operating at middle linebacker in Joe Collier's 3-4 scheme, he was legendary for his short-yardage and goal-line stops, consistently meeting running backs head-on at the line of scrimmage to deny forward momentum. His instincts allowed him to drop cleanly into pass coverage as well, snaring 20 career interceptions.

Gradishar stepped into the starting lineup during his 1974 rookie season and earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 1975. By 1977, he was the undisputed centerpiece of a dominant defense that allowed just 10.6 points per game during the regular season. His ability to neutralize power-running games helped propel Denver to a 12-2 record, its first AFC West division title, and an iconic playoff run to Super Bowl XII, earning Gradishar his first First-Team All-Pro selection.

He reached the absolute peak of his national recognition in 1978, capturing consensus AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. That season, Gradishar recorded a staggering, franchise-record 286 tackles (according to the team), three sacks, and three interceptions while leading Denver to another 10-win campaign and a playoff berth. He capped his dominant late-70s run in 1979 with a fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod, recording over 200 tackles and three interceptions as the Orange Crush defense yielded under 18 points per game for a third straight year.

What made Gradishar's decade of service in Denver particularly noteworthy was his unwavering availability. Throughout his ten-year career spanning from 1974 to 1983, he did not miss a single game, establishing a streak of 145 consecutive regular-season appearances. He was the leading tackler for the Broncos for nine successive seasons (1975–1983), amassed a total of 33 takeaways (comprising 20 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries), and received seven Pro Bowl selections along with five All-Pro honors (including 2 First-Team and 3 Second-Team).

In 1989, the franchise permanently recognized his unmatched contributions by inducting him as the sole member into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. For decades, his absence from the Hall of Fame was cited as one of the game's most egregious omissions. That long-overdue justice finally arrived when Gradishar was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2024, taking his rightful place among the immortals in Canton.

Dennis Smith was one of the best Defensive Backs in the history of the Denver Broncos. 

While Goose Gonsoulin was a 17^th Round Pick by the San Francisco 49ers, the Baylor Bear was a 2^nd Rounder by the Denver Broncos of the AFL, the professional team he elected to play for.

It was a good move for both sides, and the original Bronco was a First Team All-Pro and the inaugural AFL leader in Interceptions as a rookie.  Gonsoulin would go on to have five AFL All-Star Game appearances and another First Team All-Pro Selection, and while the Broncos were not particularly strong when he was there, he was undoubtedly a bright spot of the organization.

At the time of his signing with the 49ers in 1967 (he only played one year before retiring), he was the AFL's all-time leader in Interceptions with 40.  He later made the AFL All-Time 2^nd Team and was part of Denver's inaugural Ring of Fame Class.

Tom Nalen played his entire career in the National Football League with the Denver Broncos, where he started all 187 Games at Center.  Early in his career, Nalen would win two Super Bowls with John Elway as his Quarterback, and during those ring acquisitions, he was in the midst of a four-year streak of Pro Bowls with two First Team All-Pros.  Nalen earned his fifth Pro Bowl and third First Team All-Pro in 2003, and he played at Mile-High until his retirement in 2009.  Considering how many non-Terrell Davis Running Backs he helped exceed expectations, Nalen's value can be easily quantified.  

From the University of Minnesota, Rick Upchurch came to the Denver Broncos in 1975, and like many Wide Receivers, he was used as a returner as a rookie.  This was the role he primarily played in his first four seasons.  During that time, he was a Pro Bowler and a First Team All-Pro Selection twice and was regarded as the NFL's premier punt returner.

While still returning on a regular basis, he would be used more as a Wide Receiver from 1979 to 1983, peaking with a 64 Reception Season in 1979 and finishing with 267 receptions for 4,369 yards and 24 Touchdowns.  Upchurch went to his third Pro Bowl in 1979, with his fourth coming in 1982, coinciding with a third First Team All-Pro selection.  Upchurch would have another 3,008 Punt Return Yards, with eight of them going into the end zone.

In terms of notoriety, there are few on the defensive side of the ball that can match Lyle Alzado.  Known for his anger and ferocious play on the gridiron, Alzado debuted in 1971 with the Denver Broncos, and the following season he led all players in Fumble Recoveries.  Alzado played predominantly at Defensive End, and after missing most of the 1976 season due to a blown-out knee, he returned to help the Broncos and their defense reach their first Super Bowl.  A contract dispute led to his trade to the Cleveland Browns, and he later moved to the Los Angeles Raiders, where his popularity rose and he helped them win Super Bowl XVIII.

Alzado retired with 112.5 "unofficial" Sacks and was a two-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro Selection.  After his career ended, his life came to a tragic end as he was an admitted steroid abuser and believed that his PED use would cause the brain tumor that would take his life.

Undrafted out of Southern in 1966, Rich Jackson was given a chance by the Oakland Raiders, where he played only five games.  Al Davis traded Jackson to the Denver Broncos, but the Raiders owner would soon regret it.

Jackson would become the best Defensive End in the American Football League, where, from 1968 to 1970, the man nicknamed “Tombstone” would go on a three-year streak of First Team All-Pros and Pro Bowls and would be known forever for his “head slap” and “halo spinner", two moves that would become staples of those looking to emulate Jackson.  It is arguable for us to say that during those three seasons, no other Defensive End could touch him, but that was over almost as quickly as it began.  He suffered a massive injury to his knee in 1971, and he was out of the game a year later, but his impact on the game, whether people are aware, is substantial.

As an NFL rookie in 1959 for the Chicago Bears, Lionel Taylor saw limited action, but his bench-warming days were behind him as he signed with the Denver Broncos of the American Football League.

Taylor would lead the AFL in Receptions in each of the league’s first four seasons and again in 1965.  He would make history by becoming the first player to have a 100 Reception Season (1961), and while he never led the AFL in Receiving Yards, he was in the top three on five occasions.  What hurts Taylor is that his Yards per Reception and Touchdown production weren’t strong, but he was, without a doubt, the Broncos’ first real offensive weapon.  We think that means something!

Considered a shutdown Cornerback before there was such a term, Louis Wright would play his entire career with the Denver Broncos.  Drafted in the 1^st Round (17^th Overall) from San Jose State, Wright paid immediate dividends by being named to the First Team All-Rookie squad.  Denver was developing a reputation for their Orange Crush Defense, but if anyone got past them, they would have Louis Wright to contend with.  Wright was easily one of the best Corners in the late ‘70s, earning Pro Bowl selections in 1977, 1978, and 1979, and First Team All-Pro honors in the latter two seasons.  He was also crucial in helping Denver reach its first Super Bowl, losing to the Cowboys in Super Bowl XII.

Despite Denver's Super Bowl appearance, Wright's exploits didn't get national recognition.  One of the most adept at shadowing a receiver, Wright's instincts were incredible, and in every game he played, his opposing offensive coordinator planned schemes to avoid throwing to Wright.

Wright would go to two more Pro Bowls in the 1980s and was named to the Second Team All-Decade team of the 1970s.  Now that Randy Gradishar has received his due, could Wright follow him?

2025 Pre-Season Rank #6, 2024 Pre-Season Rank #7, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #4, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #7, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #8, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #10.  Peak Period: 2011-12/2014-16.

A Defensive Rookie of the Year, Super Bowl winner, and Super Bowl MVP for the Denver Broncos, Miller has all the statistical requirements the Hall looks for and the name recognition that fits the word "Fame.”   Over the last four seasons, Miller served as a pass-rushing specialist for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Commanders, and now he begins the season in his home state, wearing the blue star of the Dallas Cowboys.

As for how much Miller has left in the tank, he generated nine sacks last season in his specialized role, moving him to ninth on the official list and three away from tying Michael Strahan for sixth.  Only one Tackle for Loss gives him sole possession of fourth in that all-time list.

The only thing that we think could delay him is if some of the members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame might want him to pay penance for his past suspensions (one for substance abuse and one for domestic violence), though they did generate a lot of press considering his high profile.  Honestly, they might not even discuss it.

We would love to make a case for Karl Mecklenburg just for his nickname of the “Albino Rhino,” but we have always been a sucker for colorful (or in this case, not so colorful) nicknames.

For years, there was no argument that Karl Mecklenburg led the Denver Broncos defense.  He was a major factor in multiple playoff appearances, and he earned several individual accolades.  Unfortunately for Mecklenburg, he wasn't on the Broncos squad that finally pushed through to a pair of Super Bowl wins in the late 90s. 

The Denver Broncos seem to have little Hall representation from their early days.  Mecklenberg is honored in Denver in the Ring of Fame, but the Rhino is unlikely to be the next Bronco enshrined.

It is one thing to be highly touted out of college and rack up serious statistics in the National Football League.  It is quite another to do that when you go undrafted.  Rod Smith lit up the league when nobody saw it coming.

After going virtually unnoticed at Missouri Southern State, Rod Smith was signed by the Denver Broncos and, by his third year, fought his way to the starting roster.  He would go for 1,000 receiving yards eight times in his stellar career and was a huge part of the Broncos winning two consecutive Super Bowls.

Rod Smith may be overlooked as his offensive stats came at a time when many others accomplished the same, but no one can ever take away that he will go down as one of the good guys of the game and has earned his respect in the Rocky Mountains.  A model of consistency, Smith might be the most overlooked wide receiver of all time, and think what company that keeps?

Very few players could be viewed as the total athletic package. Neil Smith may have been one of those rare exceptions, as scouts felt that with his skills, there was little he couldn’t do on the football field.  Those scouts would be right.

Neil Smith was a multi-faceted Defensive End who was equally adept at stuffing the run as defending against the pass.  His true gift may have been sacking the Quarterback as he led the NFL in that category in 1993.  Smith was a six-time Pro Bowler, and though his skills were slightly diminished in the second half of his career, he helped the Denver Broncos win two consecutive Super Bowls in the late 90s. 

Smith was paired in Kansas City with Derrick Thomas, who collectively made one of the fiercest defensive pairings in football.  Thomas was posthumously elected to the Football Hall of Fame, but many of his achievements were aided by having Smith as a linemate.