Denver Broncos: 5 players you probably forgot were on the team

HOUSTON - AUGUST 13: Wide receiver Jerry Rice #19 of the Denver Broncos runs downfield against the Houston Texans during the preseason game on August 13, 2005 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Broncos defeated the Texans 20-14. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
HOUSTON - AUGUST 13: Wide receiver Jerry Rice #19 of the Denver Broncos runs downfield against the Houston Texans during the preseason game on August 13, 2005 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Broncos defeated the Texans 20-14. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Dan Gronkowski, Denver Broncos
Dan Gronkowski, Denver Broncos (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Honorable mention

Rob Gronkowski’s brothers (Chris & Dan)

Okay, so Chris and Dan Gronkowski are not Hall of Fame NFL players, nor are they former top draft picks who had a pit stop in Denver.

But did you remember that not only one, but two of Rob Gronkowski’s brothers played in Denver at one point? Chris had one reception for 11 yards while Dan had eight catches for 65 yards as a member of the Broncos.

Brother Rob has 40 career receptions against the Broncos for 493 yards and three scores in regular season play.

Peyton Hillis, RB

Before he was a cover athlete for the Madden video game franchise, Peyton Hillis was a fullback turned running back by the Denver Broncos.

In two seasons with the Broncos, Hillis racked up 397 rushing yards, six touchdowns, and 18 catches for 198 yards and a receiving touchdown.

He had some awesome performances in Denver before getting traded away by Josh McDaniels for Brady Quinn, and he went on to rush for over 2,400 yards and 17 touchdowns after he left Denver.

Shaun Phillips, DE/OLB

Remember when the Denver Broncos’ defense was so depleted in the 2013 season that they called upon longtime San Diego Chargers pass rusher Shaun Phillips?

Phillips had 69.5 sacks in his time with the Chargers and the Broncos sort of just snuck him through as a free agent pickup during the 2013 NFL Draft.

In that season with the Broncos (his only season in Denver), he had maybe the quietest 10 sacks, five passes defensed, one interception, and 14 QB hits.

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