The NFL has done a great job tracking certain stats over the years. Tackles are not among them.
Much of NFL history featured individual teams tracking the tackles of their own players, leading to inconsistent (and sometimes exaggerated) numbers.
Websites like Pro-Football-Reference.com have collected combined tackle stats since 1987, but the totals are unreliable. Using sources like PFR and the Denver Broncos’ own records, we’ve put together a quick list of the team’s top-12 all-time leaders in tackles.
Again, it’s worth noting that these numbers are mostly unofficial and not completely reliable, but the players listed here undoubtedly rank among the best defenders in franchise history.
Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey just missed the cut with 599 tackles, which ranks 13th on Denver’s all-time list.
With the above caveats out of the way, here’s a look at the Broncos’ all-time leaders in tackles. Hall of Fame linebacker Randy Gradishar ranks No. 1.
*Designates an unofficial number.
1
Randy Gradishar: 2,049* tackles
2
Steve Atwater: 1,188* tackles
3
Dennis Smith: 1,158* tackles
4
Karl Mecklenburg: 1,118* tackles
5
Simon Fletcher: 828* tackles
6
D.J. Williams: 826 tackles
7
Tyrone Braxton: 824* tackles
8
Al Wilson: 723 tackles
9
Greg Kragen: 708 tackles
10
Michael Brooks: 678* tackles
11
John Mobley: 621 tackles
12
Justin Simmons: 604 tackles
