From wide Rick Upchurch to Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little, the Denver Broncos have had some brilliant kick and punt returners in their history.
Upchurch ranks No. 1 on the team’s all-time return list with 5,363 yards, almost 2,000 yards more than the next-highest player (Little totaled 3,416 return yards).
One of the team’s most recent game-changing returners was Trindon Holliday, who ranks No. 11 on the team’s all-time return list despite playing just two seasons in Denver. Holliday might have had a longer tenure with the Broncos if not for his fumbles (he had 10 in 25 games).
A more recent addition to the team’s all-time return list is wide receiver Marvin Mims, Denver’s second-round pick in 2023. Mims totaled 709 return yards and scored one touchdown as a rookie last season. If he maintains that pace, Mims could climb to No. 1 on the list within the next six seasons.
In the meantime, here’s a quick look at the top 12 players on the Broncos’ all-time list for combined punt and kickoff return yards.
1
Rick Upchurch: 5,363 yards (1975-1983)
2
Floyd Little: 3,416 yards (1967-1975)
3
Glyn Milburn: 3,408 yards (1993-1995)
4
Vaughn Hebron: 3,324 yards (1996-1998)
5
Bill Thompson: 2,970 yards (1969-1981)
6
Deltha O'Neal: 2,570 yards (2000-2003)
7
Ken Bell: 2,365 yards (1986-1989)
8
Eddie Royal: 2,342 yards (2008-2011)
9
Odell Barry: 2,215 yards (1964-1965)
10
Chris Cole: 2,105 yards (2000-2003)
11
Trindon Holliday: 1,738 yards (2012-2013)
12
Vance Johnson: 1,716 yards (1985-1995)
