We have only a few more months of this miniseries left in the tank, so this week on NFL Thursday becomes a little more special with that knowledge. We drive from Motown to the Mile High City (a roadtrip, incidentally, that we have done a few times too many in our own lives) to take on the Denver Broncos and their list of celebrated players. But from the Orange Crush to the modern day, the guys here are awesome!

No. 10: Champ Bailey, CB—104 AV (2004-2013)

Originally the No. 7 overall pick by the Washington franchise in the 1999 NFL Draft, he ended up in Denver for 10-season run that solidified his Hall of Fame status: he topped the league in interceptions once (2006) while making 8 Pro Bowls as a Bronco. He picked off 34 passes in the regular season with Denver and added a 100-yard INT return in the 2005 playoffs, too, but his final game was one to forget, obvi (2013). Oh well.

No. 9: Louis Wright, CB—106 AV (1975-1986)

We’re surprised he’s not in the Hall, as he was the No. 17 overall pick in the draft and played very well for 12 seasons, all with the Broncos: 5 Pro Bowls spread across many season, 26 career INTs in the regular season, and 10 postseason games with Denver—including two Super Bowls (1977, 1986). He started 175 of the 176 games he played in the league, too, which is impressive. He was a member of the famed Orange Crush.

No. 8: Bill Thompson, CB/SS—106 AV (1969-1981)

Drafted in the third round, he went on to make 3 Pro Bowls (1977, 1978, 1981), including the final year of his career. We admit it, though: we’d never heard of him before researching this piece. He compiled 40 INTs in the regular season, while also scoring a combined 7 return TDs on INTs and fumble recoveries. He added 1 INT in the postseason, and he also topped the NFL in fumble return yardage once (1973). Also? OC OG, baby.

No. 7: Randy Gradishar, LB—106 AV (1974-1983)

He’s our personal favorite from the Orange Crush era, for sure: No. 14 overall pick in the draft, 7 Pro Bowls, 20 INTs, 19.5 sacks, and 6 seasons with double-digit AV marks, too. In three other seasons, he combined for 26 AV, with only his rookie season resulting in a minimal AV contribution. He played in 6 playoff games for Denver, while scoring 4 TDs on various returns in his career. He was considered the leader of the defense.

No. 6: Tom Jackson, LB—109 AV (1973-1986)

Probably better known to Millennials as an ESPN Gameday host, he was a 3-time Pro Bowl selection (1977-1979) who had been a mere fourth-round pick in the draft. He posted 40 sacks and 20 INTs in the regular season, and in 10 playoff games, he added 2 more INTs and 1 more sack. He was on the losing end of the two Super Bowls mentioned above, and he’s not in the Hall of Fame. But he certainly made a name for himself.

No. 5: Karl Mecklenburg, DE/LB—114 AV (1983-1994)

Can anyone believe this guy was a 12th-round pick in the draft?! He still made 6 Pro Bowls in his 12-year career and maybe should be in the Hall of Fame, considering he played in 3 Super Bowls (1986, 1987, 1989) in a 4-year span. He also topped the NFL in AV once (1989); plus, he totaled 79 sacks in the regular season, adding 2 in postseason play. Yeah, we’re not sure why he’s not in Canton, but it could be considered injustice.

No. 4: Von Miller, LB—120 AV (2011-2019, 2021)

The MVP of Super Bowl 50 (2015), he was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft—and was worth it. He reached 8 Pro Bowls as a Bronco and posted 110.5 sacks in the regular season with Denver … adding 6.5 sacks in 7 playoff games, too. He was voted the defensive ROTY in 2011, as well, so he was impressive from the start. He missed the 2020 season due to injury, but he still returned to the Broncos in 2021 before being traded.

No. 3: Rod Smith, WR—129 AV (1995-2006)

Enough of the defense, right? Every guy hitherto was a defender, and now we get to the offensive guys. Undrafted out of Missouri Southern, he won 2 Super Bowls (1997, 1998), led the NFL in receptions once (2001), and made 3 Pro Bowls in his distinguished career (2000, 2001, 2005). We also chose him as a Super Bowl MVP for his efforts, too. Again, we have no idea why this guy is not in the Hall of Fame. He deserves it.

No. 2: Tom Nalen, C—133 AV (1994-2007)

Talk about unsung heroes! He started on the 1997 and 1998 championship teams protecting the No. 1 player on this list, while also making 5 Pro Bowls (1997-2000, 2003) as the 218th overall pick in the draft. He posted 7 seasons of double-digit AV as well, anchoring the offensive line for 188 starts in the regular season and 13 playoff games. We don’t think we’re overdoing it asking why this guy also is not in Canton yet. Unreal.

No. 1: John Elway, QB—206 AV (1983-1998)

Probably the most dynamic QB we ever saw play in person, he is in Canton, of course, after being the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and getting traded right away to Denver. He made 9 Pro Bowls, started in 5 Super Bowls, and won the 1987 NFL MVP vote. His efficiency numbers were never great, but there are so many famous NFL moments of his: The Drive, The Drive II, and this throw—our all-time favorite WTF throw ever.