Rod Smith headlines the list of former Denver Broncos players who have been nominated for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
The Hall of Fame announced 173 modern-era nominees on Tuesday, including 16 players who spent time with the Broncos.
Buy Broncos TicketsSmith might have the strongest case. A two-time Super Bowl champion, Smith’s numbers (849 receptions for 11,389 yards and 68 touchdowns) are similar to those of Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irving (750/11,904/65). Smith is also the NFL’s all-time leading receiver among undrafted wide receivers.
Four other Broncos Super Bowl winners were also nominated — center Tom Nalen, guard Mark Schlereth, defensive lineman Neil Smith and kicker Jason Elam. Those four players and Smith helped the team win back-to-back championships in the late 1990s.
Two more recent wide receivers — Brandon Marshall and Wes Welker — were also nominated, as was hard-hitting inside linebacker Al Wilson.
Here’s a quick look at the 16 former Denver players who have been nominated for the Hall of Fame.
1
WR Rod Smith
Smith played for the Broncos from 1995-2006, winning two Super Bowls.
2
C Tom Nalen
Nalen played in Denver from 1994-2008, winning two Super Bowls.
3
G Mark Schlereth
Schlereth played for the Broncos from 1995-2000, winning two Super Bowls in Denver. He also won a Super Bowl with Washington.
4
DL Neil Smith
Smith played for the Broncos from 1997-1999, helping the team win two championships.
5
K Jason Elam
Elam played for the Broncos from 1993-2007. The two-time Super Bowl champion is Denver’s all-time leader in points (1,786).
6
WR Brandon Marshall
Marshall played in Denver from 2006-2009. He finished his career as a six-time Pro Bowler and holds the NFL record for the most receptions in a single game (21).
7
WR Wes Welker
Welker played for the Broncos from 2013-2014, helping Denver reach Super Bowl XLVIII. He played in three Super Bowls during his career.
8
LB Al Wilson
Wilson played for the Broncos from 1999-2006, earning five Pro Bowl nods and a pair of All-Pro selections.
9
RB Glyn Milburn
Milburn played in Denver from 1993-1995. A two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, he ranks third in Broncos history with 3,408 return yards.
10
DB Dre' Bly
Bly played for the Broncos from 2007-2008. He won a Super Bowl with the Rams and earned two Pro Bowl nods with the Lions before landing in Denver.
11
RB Jamaal Charles
Charles had a brief stint with the Broncos in 2017. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro with the Chiefs before playing in Denver.
12
DL Simeon Rice
Rice played for the Broncos in 2007. Before that, he won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers and earned three Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro selections.
13
DL Jamal Williams
Williams played for the Broncos in 2010. Before that, he earned a trio of Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods with the Chargers.
14
LB Keith Brooking
Brooking played in Denver in 2012. Before that, he earned five Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro selections while playing for the Falcons and Cowboys.
15
LB Lee Woodall
Woodall played for the Broncos in 2001. Before that, he won a Super Bowl with the 49ers and earned two Pro Bowl nods.
16
DL Ted Washington
Washington played for the Broncos in 1994. He later won a Super Bowl with the Patriots and finished his career with four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro selections on his resume.
