HomeColorado sportsThe Best Denver Broncos Kickers of All-Time

The Best Denver Broncos Kickers of All-Time

Ryan Womeldorf

Feb 11, 2024

5 min read

Though they often take far more abuse than they deserve, Denver Broncos Kickers have played an integral role in the history of the NFL franchise.

There have been names etched in the annals of time because of a big kick in the biggest moments possible. Check out the most famous names below.

The Evolution of Denver Broncos Kickers

While this is a focus on the greatest ever kicker in Broncos history, it helps to go back throughout the years. The list of the best Broncos kickers of all-time is also a great way to see how the kicking game in the NFL has evolved. Let’s take a look at the Broncos – and their kickers – throughout the decades of NFL action.

The Early Years

As time passes, the names remembered from the past become fewer and fewer. Remembering kickers from that time in the NFL is not something commonly harkened upon. And even though none from the 1980s and earlier will be remembered as the greatest kicker ever in Broncos history, more than a few left their mark on the franchise and the fan base.

So, who makes the list of the best Broncos kickers of all-time? Who will go down as the greatest ever kicker in Broncos history? Check out our list below.

Jason Elam
Matt Prater
Brandon McManus
Rich Karlis
Jim Turner
Gene Mingo
David Treadwell
Bobby Howfield
Brad Daluiso
Steven Hauschka

10 Best Kickers In Broncos History Ordered Chronologically

1. Gene Mingo (1960-1964)

How could you have a list of the greatest kickers in Broncos history and not have the original kicker? A tremendous athlete, Mingo was not just a kicker during the first five years of Broncos history. He also played running back, acted as a kick returner, and was the team’s punter as well.

But because this is a list about the Broncos kicker history, we definitely need to talk about Mingo. Mingo became the first African American kicker in the history of pro football. Mingo didn’t live off of that achievement, however, becoming a star for the Broncos. He made the American Football League All-Star team twice and is only one of three kickers to find their way into the Broncos Ring of Fame.

Bobby Howfield (1968-1970)

Howfield came to the Broncos in a 1968 trade with the New York Jets. Howfield continued to build the strong foundation of Broncos kicker history over his three years in the Mile High City. The franchise was in transition but knew it could depend on Howfield.

Howfield acted as both kicker and punter during his time in Denver. His biggest accomplishment was making the NFL’s All-Rookie Team for 1968. Though he didn’t earn other major awards, Howfield became an important part in Broncos kicker history in a relatively short period of time.

Aldershot do have one intriguing connection with the NFL. Bobby Howfield made 118 appearances for the Shots over two spells between 1959-1962 and 1965-67, scoring 54 times. He then moved to the States, and featured as a Kicker for both the Denver Broncos and New York Jets pic.twitter.com/XnfS3jXVIT

— Aldershot Attic (@shotsremembered) February 7, 2021

Jim Turner (1971-1979)

For nine seasons, Turner was the kicker in the orange and blue. Of the kickers that preceded him, Turner had surpassed them in Broncos kicker history. Like Howfield before him, Turner came from a trade with the Jets. He took a no-nonsense approach to the kicking game and became a key figure as the Broncos had a breakout period in the mid-1970s.

He played a huge role in the team making its first Super Bowl appearance in 1977 (a losing effort). He would go on to earn a pair of Pro Bowl selections and is currently the second all-time leading scorer in franchise history. He is also just the second of three kickers to be inducted into the Ring of Fame.

Jim Turner, legendary NFL kicker who won Super Bowl with Jets, dead at 82 https://t.co/B56aHTTK96

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 13, 2023

Rich Karlis (1982-1988)

Karlis is probably most remembered as being one of the last of the barefooted kickers. That bare foot would be good enough to post seven of the most successful seasons in Broncos kicker history. He also made an unforgettable kick that sent the Broncos to Super Bowl XXI, winning the 1986 AFC Championship Game in overtime.

Though he had some bad moments – the shortest missed kick in Super Bowl history (23 yards) – he provided unmatched stability. Another of the many undrafted free agents at the position, he became one of the first “soccer-style” kickers in the league. He is important not only to the history of the Broncos, but the history of kicking in the NFL.

Rich Karlis get in here you crazy son of a gun https://t.co/lAm41zyGHm pic.twitter.com/TNcQ2dytDr

— ¡BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL! (@edsbs) September 7, 2023

The 1990s

The 1990s would see just three kickers suit up at the position for the Broncos, though all three would leave their mark. Let’s take a look at the three names who make the cut for the greatest Broncos kickers of all-time that played during the 1990s.

David Treadwell (1989-1992)

An eighth round pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, Treadwell became known for his accuracy during his three years with the team. Treadwell delivered in high-pressure situations for the Broncos during one of the most successful stretches in franchise history.

The two-time All-Pro helped get the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowls in the late 1980s (unfortunately both losses). Don’t let the short stint fool you: Treadwell was one of the best kickers in the league and an integral part of those successful teams of the 1980s.

Happy Birthday David Treadwell @KickingBronco !! Hope it’s a great one! #Broncos pic.twitter.com/0mqROmrr6S

— DenverBroncos QBClub (@BroncosQBClub) February 27, 2018

Brad Daluiso (1992)

Daluiso shares a lot in common with Steven Hauschka, mentioned later on in our list. He came to the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in time for the 1991 season. His time in Denver was brief but he carved out a name for himself during his year in Denver.

The San Diego State alum spent the 1992 season with the Broncos. Sporting a powerful leg, Daluiso handled not only the kicking duties but punting duties as well. His performance during that season set the stage for him to enjoy a decade-long career, playing for multiple teams over that span.

1993: HBD to Brad Daluiso who turns 55. He joined #NYGiants in 1993 from Denver as a kickoff specialist & ended up on the team thru 2000 & became the 3rd leading scorer in team history. His late 54 yard FG into a 15 mph wind beat Cards 19-17 & put NYG in 1st place #TogetherBlue pic.twitter.com/VITBvmEkxR

— BigBlueVCR (@BigBlueVCR) December 31, 2022

Jason Elam (1993-2007)

Who would know that a 1993 third-round draft pick would become the greatest Broncos kicker of all-time? Elam was successful immediately. He possessed a powerful leg but had also managed to come up when needed in the biggest spots.

Elam also had a knack for making long kicks. Though it has since been broken, Elam kicked a then-NFL record 63-yard field goal. He also helped bring the Broncos their first two Super Bowl championships during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. The three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro did everything a kicker could do with one franchise.

The 2000s

Elame continued to kick through much of the 2000s as well, finishing his illustrious 14-year career in 2007. There was only one other kicker to take over the position during the 2000s, and he quickly made his name known in the annals of Denver Broncos kicker history.

Matt Prater (2007-2014)

Prater came to the Broncos with little hype prior to the 2007 season, ready to take over the reins from the best kicker in Broncos history. Prater was a solid kicker throughout his career, but his efforts during the 2011 season – remembered for “Tebowmania” – were the stuff of legends. Prater made everything he was asked to make, elevating him to one of the best kickers in the league.

For almost eight years, Prater was a constant force. If things were tight and the Broncos had a chance to tie or win, prater was going to deliver. He represented the franchise in the 2013 Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors that year as well. He would also break Elam’s record for longest field goal, booting a 64-yarder during a cold 2013 game against the Titans. Though Baltimore’s Justin Tucker would later best the mark, Prater booted his way into Broncos history.

The 2010s

If there is one notable thing about the history of Denver Broncos kicking, it is the consistency. Though other kickers would make spot appearances throughout the decade, the 2010s were much like the two decades prior. It has been dominated largely by one name with a memorable, albeit brief, performance from another.

Steven Hauschka (2010)

As an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State, not many believed that Hauschka would stick around in the NFL. After two decent seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, the 25-year-old Hauschka would make a stop in Denver.

Though he stayed just one season, playing only four games for the team, he made his mark. It would be his performances in Denver that drove him to a successful career mostly spent with the Seattle Seahawks. His smooth kicking motion and impressive leg allowed him to develop into one of the most accurate kickers in the league during his career.

Brandon McManus (2014-2022)

After a 2014 trade with the New York Giants brought him to town, McManus quickly established himself as an accurate, reliable kicker. Known for being calm under pressure, McManus has become one of the best kickers in the league during his almost decade with the Broncos.

He played a critical part in the last Broncos’ Super Bowl win, Super Bowl 50 in 2015. McManus has a litany of game-winning kicks under his belt and made the Pro Bowl in 2020. As the Broncos went through a period of transition, McManus continued to be a bright spot when others could not be found. Though he has a long road to go to catch Elam, McManus should no doubt come up when mentioning the greatest Broncos kickers ever.

The 2020s

Until this season, McManus had been the only man at the helm during this decade. He was exceptional even until his final season in Denver. In the three years since the decade began, McManus has hit 82.4, 83.9, and 77.8% of his kicks. He has since left for the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he is kicking at a 90% pace.

Not on the List: Wil Lutz (2023)

For the first six seasons of his career, Lutz was one of the better kickers in the league for the New Orleans Saints. He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2019, though he had an off 2022 season. With the departure of McManus to Jacksonville, Lutz has stepped in to take on the duties for the Broncos.

He has been very good through nine games this season, hitting nearly 90% of his field goals (89.5%). With more than 88% of his extra points made, he has become virtually automatic for a Broncos team that needs all the help it can get offensively.

K Wil Lutz has recorded 46 points since Denver's Week 7 game vs. Green Bay, which is the second-most kicking points in the NFL in that span. pic.twitter.com/2EKXsYBOIO

— Tyler Gorse (@Tyler_Gorse_) November 22, 2023

Honorable Mentions

The history of Denver Broncos kicking is too long to fit all of the greats into one space. There have been a few other names that could have arguably been included near the bottom of the list. For those, we give them “honorable mention” status among all of the greats at the position.

Fred Steinfort (1979-1981)
Mike Clendenen (1987)
Gary Kroner (1965-1967)
Paul Ernster (2005-2007)
Joe Nedney (2000)
Jack Hill (1979)

The Future of Kicking for the Denver Broncos

For now, the 29-year-old Lutz appears to not only be the present for Denver Broncos kicking but the future as well. He has a solid track record of success in the NFL, making less than 82% of his field goals just once in his career). He has also been consistently in the 95-98% range when it comes to making extra points.

The Broncos offense has its ups and downs, especially with QB Russell Wilson at the helm. As he and the team continue to work out weapons at receiver, running back, and tight end, Lutz will be counted on to be the reassuring presence offensively. Kicking at the rate he has been this season it seems like the Broncos found their man.

Going past 2023, the future is definitely uncertain. Lutz will be an unrestricted free agent ahead of 2024. He’s certainly been kicking well enough to earn another contract from the Broncos. That said, the position is one of the most in-flux across the entire league. Good kickers go sour in seemingly no time, and teams move on from proven names as well.

Fan Perspectives and Legacy

The position itself doesn’t garner much in the way of conversation. Unless things are going spectacularly well or horribly bad, kickers mostly fly under the radar. The best of the best, especially in this day and age, garner a bit more attention. As the game didn’t really skyrocket in popularity until the 1990s, there are two names that get brought up by Broncos fans often: Elam and Prater.

Elam had been called “as sure-footed as they come.” Message boards on the Denver Broncos website had posts talking about Elam being a fan favorite. There are even those who discuss whether Elam should be in the Hall of Fame, a tough feat (no pun intended) for the position.

Prater, meanwhile, had earned a special saying. Some had said, “Jesus prays to Matt Prater.” With his performances during the 2011 and 2013 seasons, Prater had reached a level that only Elam had managed to attain. Though he didn’t have the longevity, Prater certainly had the leg strength to boot his way into Denver Broncos history.