Rod Smith was the best wide receiver in Denver Broncos history, and the numbers back that up.
Smith ranks No. 1 on the team’s all-time receiving list for yards (11,389) and receiving touchdowns (68). A two-time Super Bowl champion, Smith deserves a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Right behind Smith is the late Demaryius Thomas, who totaled 9,055 receiving yards and scored 60 touchdowns. Three years after setting a then-record with 13 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XLVIII, Thomas helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 in 2015. He also has a case for the Hall of Fame.
The third-leading receiver on Denver’s all-time list already has a spot in Canton: tight end Shannon Sharpe totaled 8,439 receiving yards and scored 55 touchdowns during his time with the Broncos.
Current receiver Courtland Sutton (4,259 yards) ranks 13th on the team’s all-time list. He needs 1,102 receiving yards and nine more touchdowns to rank among the top 10 receivers in Broncos history.
While we wait to see how high Sutton can climb the list, here’s a quick look at the top-12 leading receivers in franchise history.
1
Rod Smith (11,389 yards, 68 TDs)
2
Demaryius Thomas (9,055 yards, 60 TDs)
3
Shannon Sharpe (8,439 yards, 55 TDs)
4
Lionel Taylor (6,872 yards, 44 TDs)
5
Ed McCaffrey (6,200 yards, 46 TDs)
6
Steve Watson (6,112 yards, 36 TDs)
7
Riley Odoms (5,695 yards, 41 TDs)
8
Vance Johnson (5,695 yards, 37 TDs)
9
Haven Moses (5,450 yards, 44 TDs)
10
Emmanuel Sanders (5,361 yards, 28 TDs)
11
Mark Jackson (4,746 yards, 24 TDs)
12
Rick Upchurch (4,369 yards, 24 TDs)
