There are a few franchises that have had far more success than the rest. On the shortlist are the Denver Broncos, winners of three Super Bowls and AFC Champions eight times. With new Denver Broncos owners this season the expectation is high.
Due to all of that success has come a litany of great defensive players that have left an indelible mark on the franchise.
It took quite a bit of work to look through the history of defensive players that have come through the Mile High City. Eight names have managed to carve out a big enough legacy in the blue and orange that they won’t be soon forgotten.
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Best Defensive Players in Denver Broncos History
There may be some debate at the top of the list of the best defensive players in Denver Broncos history. Each player has his own set of accolades to point to and it will largely come down to how fans remember them. But these players are without a doubt the best to do it.
1.) Von Miller, LB
Miller could have hung it up after Super Bowl 50 and still been on this list. He had six tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles as he led the Broncos to their third Super Bowl. It was the kind of epic performance that you don’t forget.
On top of that, Miller set the franchise record for sacks and has been a first-team All-Pro three different times. He has been one of the most dominant pass rushers the franchise has ever seen, leaving a clear mark on the franchise. He made seven Pro Bowls in his eight years and only failed to make it 8-for-8 because of a knee injury.
"Our game is founded on grass."
Von Miller and Stefon Diggs discuss artificial turf vs. grass in NFL stadiums pic.twitter.com/oGWjK9ds5L
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 13, 2023
2.) Champ Bailey, CB
You would be hard-pressed to find many cornerbacks that have had a better career than Bailey. He was great in Washington but took things to another level after a trade for Clinton Portis sent him to Denver. He was a First-Team All-Pro in his first three years in Denver, becoming the kind of shutdown corner that the team never had.
A legendary tackler, something that defensive backs weren’t known for, Bailey did it all. He finished with seven Pro Bowls, three All-Pro nods, a Ring of Honor induction, and a bust that will live on in Canton for ages. Champ Bailey is simply one of the most dominant corners ever, not just in Denver Broncos history.
.@champbailey checking in ahead of #WASvsDEN! pic.twitter.com/aND1CKbBZV
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 17, 2023
3.) Steve Atwater, S
Steve Atwater will live on not only in the minds of Broncos fans but anyone who watched NFL Films in the 1990s and 2000s. Atwater may not have been the most prolific statistically, but he knew how to lay the hammer on unsuspecting receivers, becoming one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the league.
Much like John Elway, Atwater went out a champion. He retired alongside the Hall of Fame quarterback after winning a second-straight Super Bowl championship in 1998. He was a crucial part of one of the league’s best defenses, forever leaving his mark in Denver.
Combined, Broncos safeties Dennis Smith and Steve Atwater totaled more than 2,000 solo tackles in their respective careers. https://t.co/Hj2jHBtdiE
— Broncos Wire (@TheBroncosWire) September 15, 2023
4.) Randy Gradishar, LB
Prior to 2010, there could have been a case made for Gradishar as the greatest defensive player in team history. Drafted 14th overall in 1973, he would spend 10 years in Denver leading the famed “Orange Crush” defense that personified the franchise.
He is credited with more than 2,000 tackles, making the Pro Bowl seven times and earning five First-Team All-Pro selections. The cherry on top was his Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1978. For a long time, he remained the best defensive player the Broncos ever had and is still on the shortlist.
Future Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar doing his thing. 🤩 #LARvsDEN pic.twitter.com/LKvi8c3Ad6
— KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM (@KOAColorado) August 27, 2023
5.) Karl Mecklenburg, LB
Mecklenburg became an undeniable staple of the Broncos defense from 1983-94. “Snow Goose” recorded 79.5 sacks during his time, which stood as the second-best mark in franchise history for many years. He also had more than 1,100 career tackles, seemingly involved in every play.
Mecklenburg earned his honors, being named to six Pro Bowls and earned a trio of All-Pro nods from the Associated Press. He would enter the team’s Ring of Fame in 2001, capping off a run that will remain legendary in the annals of Denver Broncos history.
Always a good time when these guys get together!
We kicked off Alumni Weekend last night with a reunion at Shanahan's restaurant featuring Super Bowl XXXIII alumni & staff and Broncos Ring of Famers. 👏 pic.twitter.com/JWtV034gmr
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 16, 2023
6.) Rich Jackson, DE
Jackson is interesting because he doesn’t have the career accolades that some of the others do. His career was cut short by injury in the middle of what many predicted would be a Hall of Fame career in Denver.
In a time before sacks were recorded, Jackson was dominant. He earned Pro Bowl invites from 1968-70, plus First-Team All-Pro honors as well. With the legendary name “Tombstone,” Jackson became the tough enforcer for a franchise that had previously lacked a tough integrity. Unfortunately, a knee injury during the 1971 season would put an end to an otherwise promising career. During his short period of play, his signature “head slap” would become feared by offensive linemen around the league.
November 22, 1970 – #Saints QB Billy Kilmer tries to evade the grasp of the #Broncos Rich Jackson as #NewOrleans takes on #Denver at Tulane Stadium, in a game Denver will win by the score of 31-6.#NFL #1970s pic.twitter.com/7Su6ARrY9B
— JVAN (@VanderlansJim) August 16, 2023
7.) Simon Fletcher, DE
Simon Fletcher may be one of the more underrated names you will find on this list. To those who watched him, he may very well be the best pass rusher the Broncos ever had. His 97.5 sacks certainly back that up, then a franchise record.
He had a slow start to his career, but really took off between 1988 and 1993. In that span, he racked up 75 sacks, a run that would put him among the best ever to do it. He didn’t get a single Pro Bowl nod, even the year he had 16 sacks (1992). “Snubbed” would make a great title for a Fletcher autobiography.
RT to help us wish #BroncosROF LB Simon Fletcher a happy birthday! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/ycgD96g5W7
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) February 18, 2023
Conclusion
The Broncos have had an embarrassment of riches on defense throughout the years. Though they may be most known for quarterbacks like John Elway and Peyton Manning, they have had more than their fair share of elite defensive players in their midst.
Each player on this list made impactful contributions in their own way. There is one thing for certain, however. None of them will go without being remembered by the diehard and faithful Denver Broncos fans.
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