Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jon Heath

Denver Broncos’ top 12 all-time leaders in return yards

From wide Rick Upchurch to Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little, the Denver Broncos have had some brilliant kick and punt returners in their history.

Upchurch ranks No. 1 on the team’s all-time return list with 5,363 yards, almost 2,000 yards more than the next-highest player (Little totaled 3,416 return yards).

One of the team’s most recent game-changing returners was Trindon Holliday, who ranks No. 11 on the team’s all-time return list despite playing just two seasons in Denver. Holliday might have had a longer tenure with the Broncos if not for his fumbles (he had 10 in 25 games).

A more recent addition to the team’s all-time return list is wide receiver Marvin Mims, Denver’s second-round pick in 2023. Mims totaled 709 return yards and scored one touchdown as a rookie last season. If he maintains that pace, Mims could climb to No. 1 on the list within the next six seasons. 

In the meantime, here’s a quick look at the top 12 players on the Broncos’ all-time list for combined punt and kickoff return yards.

1
Rick Upchurch: 5,363 yards (1975-1983)

(Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY NETWORK)

2
Floyd Little: 3,416 yards (1967-1975)

(Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports)

3
Glyn Milburn: 3,408 yards (1993-1995)

(Michael C. Hebert-USA TODAY NETWORK)

4
Vaughn Hebron: 3,324 yards (1996-1998)

(Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports)

5
Bill Thompson: 2,970 yards (1969-1981)

(Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

6
Deltha O'Neal: 2,570 yards (2000-2003)

(Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK)

7
Ken Bell: 2,365 yards (1986-1989)

(RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports)

8
Eddie Royal: 2,342 yards (2008-2011)

(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

9
Odell Barry: 2,215 yards (1964-1965)

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

10
Chris Cole: 2,105 yards (2000-2003)

(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

11
Trindon Holliday: 1,738 yards (2012-2013)

(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

12
Vance Johnson: 1,716 yards (1985-1995)

(Rick Stewart, USA TODAY Network)
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.