Skip to main content
    Rod Smith's Exclusion from Hall of Fame: 'Laughable'

    Broncos Legends: Top-5 Running Backs of All Time

    The Denver Broncos have a storied running back history, so who are the top-5?

    In this story:

    Denver Broncos
    Denver Broncos

    The Denver Broncos have had some stellar running backs in their history, with two being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Since we're knee-deep in the NFL summer, what better time than now to answer who the greatest rushers are to ever wear the Orange and Blue? 

    I'm going to list the top-5 Broncos backs of all time in descending order and the reasons behind their selection on this illustrious list. One may come as a surprise.

    5. Clinton Portis

    Denver Broncos running back Clinton Portis (26) in action against San Diego Chargers defenders Rodney Harrison (37) and Ben Leber (51) at Qualcomm Stadium.

    It may seem odd to place a player who only played two seasons with the club on this list, but his numbers warrant his placement. Portis flourished in the Broncos' vaunted zone blocking scheme and had he stayed with Denver his entire career, we would likely be talking about his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

    In only two seasons in Denver, Portis became the eighth leading rusher in team history, has the sixth most rushing touchdowns, and leads all running backs in yards per game with 106.9. In each of his two seasons, he rushed for more than 1,500 yards with 5.5 yards per carry and earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors along with a Pro Bowl invitation. 

    Portis had two brilliant seasons with the franchise, and his trade welcomed one of the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history to the Broncos: Champ Bailey.

    What happens next for the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

    4. Sammy Winder

    Denver Broncos running back Sammy Winder (23) carries the ball against the Washington Redskins during Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium. The Redskins defeated the Broncos 42-10.

    As the owner of one of the greatest touchdown celebrations, The Mississippi Mudwalk, Winder utilized it often. His 39 rushing touchdowns are third in club annals. 

    Winder is one of those running backs who people often dismiss, but he had a very solid career in Denver. He had a nose for the end zone and ground out more than 5,000 yards rushing in his career, good enough to come in third in team history. 

    Winder earned two Pro Bowl invitations during his career and was an integral part of the Broncos' three Super Bowl appearances in the 1980s.

    3. Otis Armstrong

    Denver Broncos running back (24) Otis Armstrong is led by offensive lineman (62) Tom Glassic against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

     Armstrong is often forgotten about in the discussions that pertain to the greatest running back in Broncos history, but that's a mistake. He arguably had the third-greatest rushing season in club history. 

    That 1974 season, Armstrong led the NFL in rushing with 1,407 yards in only 14 games and also led the league in yards per carry, yards per game, yards per touch, and total yards from scrimmage. He was the runner-up in the Offensive Player of the Year and earned a first-team All-Pro award. 

    For his career, Armstrong was voted to the Pro Bowl twice and is fourth on the Broncos' career rushing list. Injuries are the only thing that kept his career from being more stellar.

    2. Floyd Little

    Denver Bronco running back Floyd Little (44) follows the block of guard Larron Jackson (68) as he runs against the Kansas City Chiefs during a game at Mile High Stadium. The Chiefs won, 16-14.

    The player who held the career rushing yards for the Broncos until a fellow Hall-of-Famer came along, Little earned the nickname 'The Franchise' because he was responsible for keeping the club in Denver. During his career, he earned a first-team All-Pro award and was voted to the Pro Bowl five times. 

    Little led the league in rushing yards per game twice, rushing touchdowns once, and in 1971 he led the NFL in rushing. His 43 career rushing touchdowns are second to only one player in Broncos history. 

    Little was the second Broncos player to get his bronze bust in Canton and is one of only three players in club history to have their jersey retired.

    1. Terrell Davis

    Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (30) carries the ball against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Ronnie Bradford (23) during Super Bowl XXXIII at Dolphin Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Falcons 34-19.

    Terrell Davis as the greatest running back in Broncos' history is a no-brainer. His vision and cutting ability were the perfect marriage with the zone blocking scheme and that combination took the NFL by storm. 

    Davis is the Broncos' career leader in rushing yards and the only rusher in the Orange and Blue to win the NFL's Most Valuable Player award. He was the fourth running back to join the 2000-yard club, with arguably the greatest performance of any player in that club when considering touchdowns and lack of fumbles. 

    Davis had one of, if not the best, three consecutive seasons for a running back in the NFL and is the reason why the franchise won back-to-back World Championships, earning the Super Bowl MVP in Denver's first victory. He is also the greatest running back in playoff history. 

    Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017, Davis rightfully sits atop the mountain.

    Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

    Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!
    © 2024 ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Gambling content intended for 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.