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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jon Heath

Rod Smith among 16 former Broncos nominated for Hall of Fame

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.

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Smith 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

(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Smith played for the Broncos from 1995-2006, winning two Super Bowls.

2
C Tom Nalen

(Brian Bahr)

Nalen played in Denver from 1994-2008, winning two Super Bowls.

3
G Mark Schlereth

(Brian Bahr /Allsport)

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

(Vincent Laforet /Allsport)

Smith played for the Broncos from 1997-1999, helping the team win two championships.

5
K Jason Elam

(Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports)

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

(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

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

(Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)

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

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Wilson played for the Broncos from 1999-2006, earning five Pro Bowl nods and a pair of All-Pro selections.

9
RB Glyn Milburn

(Michael C. Hebert-USA TODAY NETWORK)

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

(Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

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

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

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

(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

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

(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

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

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

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

(DINO VOURNAS/AFP via Getty Images)

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

(MPS-USA TODAY Sports)

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.

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