What the future may hold in terms of Broncos Hall of Famers

With a long track record of success, it’s sometimes hard to believe that the Pro Football Hall of Fame didn’t truly feature a Denver Broncos player until 2004, when John Elway was inducted.

Over the past few years, however, the representation of the orange and blue in Canton has grown significantly, with three players (Terrell Davis, Champ Bailey and Steve Atwater) and late-owner Pat Bowlen earning enshrinement in the past five classes.

And not to be forgotten is the trio of Brian Dawkins, John Lynch and Peyton Manning, all who contributed greatly to the success of the franchise but are more linked to other organizations.

However, there are still a lingering few Denver all-timers who deserve one of those bronze busts, and some who are just awaiting their time.

Here’s what the future lineup of Broncos in the Pro Football Hall of Fame could, and should, look like:

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Long overdue: Rod Smith, Tom Nalen, Randy Gradishar, Karl Mecklenburg, Mike Shanahan, Louis Wright

Unsurprisingly, there are three members of the back-to-back Super Bowl winning Broncos teams of the late ‘90s that fall into this group — Nalen, Shanahan and Smith.

Arguably one of the best undrafted players in NFL history, Smith went to three Pro Bowls and was a starter at his position for a decade. In terms of career approximate value, as determined by Pro Football Reference, Smith’s 102 score ranks above the average Hall of Fame receiver (96) and higher than recent inductees Isaac Bruce (101), Cris Carter (99) and Andre Reed (98).

A two-time First-Team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, Nalen too had a career approximate value (101) higher than the average Hall of Fame center (100). However, his Hall of Fame Monitor score, which measures a player’s chances of election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is just 67.13, well below the average of 103.

Shanahan, who has 170 wins to 138 loses for a .552 career winning percentage, helped lead Denver to its first two Super Bowl championships. And by comparison, Shanahan has 90 more total wins and roughly the same winning percentage as 2020 Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Johnson (80-64/.556).

Perhaps two of the most overlooked defenders in NFL history, Gradishar (88) and Mecklenburg (93) outpaced Hall of Famers like Willie Lanier, Dick Butkus and Sam Huff in terms of career approximate value. The pair also combined for 13 Pro Bowls (Gradishar – 7/Mecklenburg – 6) and five First-Team All-Pro selections (2/3).

As for Wright, his Hall of Fame Monitor score (62.40) ranks just behind 2021 inductee John Lynch’s score of 62.9, and his career approximate value of 84 tops Hall of Famers Steve Atwater (81), Cliff Harris (80), Emmitt Thomas (80) and Dick LeBeau (80).

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Only a matter of time: DeMarcus Ware, Chris Harris Jr., Von Miller

Ware, one of the most prolific pass rushers in NFL history, could be fitted for a gold jacket as early as next year, though most of his career happened with the Dallas Cowboys.

The remaining pair from this group — Harris and Miller — are all still currently active, so their time in Canton is well into the future.

Already, though, Miller ranks among the best outside linebackers in NFL history in terms of Hall of Fame Monitor score (86.73) and career approximate value (92).

As for Harris, he still has a way to go in terms of career approximate value (73) compared to the average Hall of Fame defensive back at 100 and Hall of Fame Monitor score (64.55 compared to an average of 100).

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On the bubble: Lyle Alzado, Riley Odoms, Trevor Pryce, Dennis Smith, Neil Smith, Aqib Talib and Billy Thompson