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Denver Broncos: Looking back at most unheralded players in team history

By Travis Wakeman

LOS ANGELES,CA-CIRCA 1986 Rulon Jones of the Denver Broncs against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum circa 1986 in Los Angeles,California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES,CA-CIRCA 1986 Rulon Jones of the Denver Broncs against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Coliseum circa 1986 in Los Angeles,California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos, Rulon Jones
Nov 1987: Defensive end Rulon Jones of the Denver Broncos in action during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport /

Rulon Jones

During the 1980s the Broncos had Tom Jackson, Karl Mecklenburg and Dennis Smith on defense. Those guys were all legendary players, but Rulon Jones was no slouch.

Jones was chosen in the second round of the 1980 draft out of Utah State. The defensive end became a full-time starter by year two and from 1984-86, he posted double-digit sacks in each season.

His 1986 season was particularly good. That year he registered 13.5 sacks and was chosen as the UPI AFL-AFC Defensive Player of the Year.

Jones made two Pro Bowls in his career and with 52.5 career sacks, still sits at No. 6 on the team’s all-time sacks list.

So why does he get lost in the shuffle?

Is it because he played with too many other stars, such as the ones mentioned above? Is it because his career, which only lasted nine seasons, ended over 30 years ago? It’s hard to say, but Jones was definitely one of the better, more consistent defensive players in team history.

Mecklenburg, for example, a player largely considered one of the best in team history, benefitted from having Jones in a big way. It was often the double teams that Jones ate up that allowed Mecklenburg to make plays.

Jones certainly deserves more credit than he gets and should be remembered by the Broncos at some point with a spot in the Ring of Fame.

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