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Denver Broncos: Top 10 achievements in team history

By Graham Tiedtke

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 18: A general view of the Denver Broncos logo on the sidelines during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 18: A general view of the Denver Broncos logo on the sidelines during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos, Phillip Lindsay
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos rushes the ball during the fourth quarter in a 20-13 Broncos win over the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on October 06, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

10. Undrafted Free Agency Success

Even if you limit to just recent history, John Elway has been very good at finding talented players following the NFL Draft since becoming general manager of the Broncos in 2011.

The notable names that have made the team right out of college without getting that recognition of being a draft pick are:

Unfortunately, three of those players are no longer on the team, but it isn’t because they were bad players. In fact, Harris Jr. wanted out. He wanted to go to a team that would be willing to pay him more money.

Or not.

It was clear that Harris wanted out of Denver and closed the door on the possibility of returning just before free agency.

Barrett did cash in with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after five seasons in Denver. He had a breakout season for Tampa Bay in 2019, with 19.5 sacks.

Anderson was cut by the Broncos after five seasons for money purposes. Unfortunately for the position, running backs just don’t generally get paid as much as most positions these days.

A lot of these players have made tremendous impacts on the Broncos during their time in Denver. There are still things to look for with Marshall, but the fact that he has made the team the last two seasons as an undrafted free agent is good news for him. His special teams contributions and the fact that the Broncos don’t have much safety depth is good news for him.

The Broncos have also got arguably the best undrafted free agent signing in league history in Ring of Fame wide receiver Rod Smith.

Smith was signed as an undrafted player in 1994, made the roster in 1995, and from that point forward he helped the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl titles and staked his claim over just about every team record a wide receiver can set.

Other notable undrafted free agents in team history include wide receiver Lionel Taylor, tight end Dwayne Carswell, and longtime left tackle Matt Lepsis among a number of others.

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