Broncos All-Time Roster: Who is the best linebacker?
Jul 21, 2021, 2:41 PM | Updated: Aug 20, 2024, 11:25 am
The Denver Broncos have seen a plethora of talented players since the merger of the American and National Football Leagues in 1970.
While it may be easy for Broncos Country to explain why a particular quarterback or running back is the best of his generation, this list is here to tackle which Broncos players are the best of all time.
Every Fan host was tasked with ranking top Broncos players’ skillsets to come up with the greatest Broncos roster.
This all-time roster will have a few no-brainers on it, but ultimately the Fan hosts decided who was the best of the best.
Here is the Broncos’ all-time roster at linebacker.
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Top Three:
1. Randy Gradishar
2. Karl Mecklenburg
3. Al Wilson
Honorable Mentions:
4. D.J. Williams
5. John Mobley
6. Bill Romanowski
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Randy Gradishar
Randy Gradishar fell to the Broncos at No. 14 in the NFL Draft.
Gradishar started three games his rookie season, then became a key for the team in 1975 when he made 132 total tackles, three sacks, intercepted three passes while being named to his first Pro Bowl.
The “Orange Crush” led Denver to its first playoff and Super Bowl appearance during the 1977 season. For three consecutive seasons (1976-78) the Broncos were ranked either first or second in points allowed per game and yards allowed per play.
Karl Mecklenburg
In 1985 Karl Mecklenburg came into his own for the Denver Broncos. He had a 13-sack season, including two four-sack games, as he was named to his first career Pro Bowl and earned his first-team All-Pro nod.
Through 12 seasons the former 12th-round pick had cemented his name in the history books.
Mecklenburg had made six Pro Bowls and was a three-time first-team All-Pro, and he helped lead the team to three Super Bowls.
Al Wilson
Al Wilson was drafted by the Broncos in 1999 and is one of the best Broncos linebackers of all-time.
The five-time Pro-Bowl linebacker accumulated 712 tackles, 21.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and five interceptions.
Wilson led the Broncos defense for six playoff runs, and was a two-time All-Pro.
