The Denver Broncos are represented by 10 former players and late former owner Pat Bowlen in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and another former player will likely join them in Canton next year.
Former Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar was named a senior finalist for the Hall of Fame last August, and he seems likely to be elected as a member of the 2024 class in January. Even with Gradishar seemingly on the verge of getting in, though, Denver remains underrepresented in Canton.
Two months ago, 16 former Broncos were named among 173 modern-era nominees for the 2024 Hall of Fame class. That list of nominees was narrowed down to a list of 25 semifinalists announced Tuesday and not a single Denver player made the cut.
Granted, many of the modern-era semifinalists this year are more than deserving — Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney and Devin Hester among them — but the Broncos also have many deserving players who have been overlooked for years, and they are now one more year removed from possible enshrinement.
Here’s a quick look at ten Denver representatives who should already be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1
WR Rod Smith
Rod Smith’s receiving totals do not compare favorably to the modern game’s top receivers, but that’s primarily because he played in a different era of football. Compared to contemporary Michael Irvin, Smith’s numbers stack up.
| Player | Rec | Yards | TDs | Super Bowls |
| Rod Smith | 849 | 11,389 | 68 | 2 |
| Michael Irvin | 750 | 11,904 | 65 | 3 |
Smith and Irvin both played 12 seasons in the NFL and they both won multiple Super Bowls, but only Irvin is in the Hall of Fame. Smith should join him.
2
WR Lionel Taylor
Happy Birthday Lionel Taylor#Broncos pic.twitter.com/ODhbL5ciNi
— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) August 15, 2023
Even more so than Smith, Lionel Taylor played before the NFL’s pass-happy era, so his numbers don’t jump off the page to a modern fan (567 receptions for 7,195 yards and 45 touchdowns). When viewed with proper context, however, Taylor’s totals are extremely impressive. Taylor was a trailblazer for pro football, becoming the first player in pro football history to record 100 receptions in a single season with the Broncos in 1961. One hundred receptions in a single season is somewhat common in the NFL’s modern era, but Taylor was the only player to ever accomplish that feat during a 14-game season, and he did so in the early 1960s. He also topped 1,000 receiving yards four times in Denver (again, long before it was common). A five-time All-AFL receiver and five-time AFL receptions leader, Taylor is a member of the Broncos’ Ring of Fame, but he also deserves Hall of Fame recognition as a pioneer of the modern wide receiver position.
3
C Tom Nalen
A five-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion, Tom Nalen was part of an offensive line that produced frequent 1,000-yard running backs for the Broncos from 1994-2008, including Terrell Davis. Running behind a line anchored by Nalen, Davis was one of just eight players in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season.
4
G Mark Schlereth
Similar to Nalen, Mark “Stink” Schlereth was a key member of Denver’s offensive line that paved the way for multiple productive running backs. A two-time Pro Bowler, Schlereth won three Super Bowls during his 12-year career (two with Denver and one with Washington).
5
DL Neil Smith
Neil Smith’s 104.5 career sacks and two Super Bowl wins stack up against Hall of Fame defensive linemen like Elvin Bethea, Charles Haley, Bryant Young, Warren Sapp and Randy White. A six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, Smith is a member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team and the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame. Canton should be next.
6
LB/DL Karl Mecklenburg
Karl Mecklenburg was a do-it-all defender who was also ahead of his time. He played every front-seven position in Denver’s 3-4 defense, helping lead the team to three Super Bowls in the 1980s. A six-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, Mecklenburg totaled 1,118 tackles, 79 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, five interceptions and two defensive touchdowns during his 12-year career in Denver. Already a member of the Broncos Ring of Fame, Mecklenburg also deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
7
CB Louis Wright
Louis Wright was not tested often by opposing quarterbacks, but he did manage to record 26 interceptions during his 12-year career with the Broncos from 1975-1986. A five-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, Wright is one of four cornerbacks who made the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team — the other three are already in the Hall of Fame. Wright should join them in Canton.
8
DB Goose Gonsoulin
Goose Gonsoulin #Broncos pic.twitter.com/RTwFuOzyTk
— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) February 27, 2022
Another pioneer from the 1960s, Gonsoulin totaled 11 interceptions in his first season in 1960, a single-season franchise record that still stands today. A five-time AFL All-Star and a member of the AFL All-Time second-team, Gonsoulin retired as the AFL’s all-time leader in interceptions with 40.
9
K Jason Elam
Jason Elam made the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s list of the top 10 kickers of all time on their website, but he is yet to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Elam ranks eighth on the NFL’s all-time scoring list with 1,983 points and his 63-yard field goal in 1998 tied a then-NFL record. A three-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion, Elam is a member of the Broncos Ring of Fame.
10
Coach Mike Shanahan
Mike Shanahan was overlooked by Hall of Fame voters again this year in the coach/contributor category, a glaring oversight. Three years ago, Bill Cowher was enshrined in the Hall of Fame despite having fewer wins than Shanahan (149 compared to 170) and a worse Super Bowl record (1-1 compared to 2-0). Cowher himself has said that Shanahan should be in the Hall of Fame. Shanahan won three total Super Bowls in his career (two as a head coach and one as an assistant) and elements of his offense are still seen across the NFL today. Shanahan is long overdue for the Hall of Fame, and late former Broncos coach Dan Reeves has a strong case as well.
