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Denver Broncos: Top five running backs in team history

By Cameron Parker

7 Sep 1998: Running back Terrell Davis #30 of the Denver Broncos in action during the game against the New England Patriots at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
7 Sep 1998: Running back Terrell Davis #30 of the Denver Broncos in action during the game against the New England Patriots at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 23: Running back Mike Anderson #38 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the New York Giants during the game on October 23, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won 24-23. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 23: Running back Mike Anderson #38 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the New York Giants during the game on October 23, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won 24-23. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /

5. Mike Anderson

We mentioned in our introduction about Mike Shanahan’s system and players who succeed in it. One such running back is Mike Anderson. Anderson, like Winder, produced a ton of touchdowns in his time with the Denver Broncos. Even though he only had two seasons of 1,000+ yards his first year matched Portis’ rookie campaign. Anderson became a powerful back with enough twitch and athletic ability, seeing holes like the backs before him.

Even not starting all 16 games his second season, Anderson was under 400 yards to reaching 1,000+ yards. Also like Portis, Anderson was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Both Tatum Bell and Anderson were close to being one of the few duos to rush for 1,000 yards each, but their rushing attack was a massive reason they went to the AFC Championship game in 2005.

People will certainly talk about Brian Griese’s Pro Bowl appearance. They should because Griese deserved it; however, Griese had a lot of stress taken off due to having Anderson in the backfield.

While the team needed a number one cornerback Shanahan’s and Denver’s decision to move on from Portis was also due to confidence in Anderson to take the reins. Unfortunately, as we mentioned in the last paragraph Anderson’s injury, unfortunately, caught up with him.

Next. The 30 greatest Denver Broncos players of All-Time. dark

Yet, throughout his career for him to place in the top five of all-time rushing yards begs the question of what could have been with the Denver Broncos. Like Portis, Anderson could have been the one to place in the tops of Denver running back royalty.

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