The top 10 RBs in Denver Broncos history: No. 10 – No. 6
As we continue to look at some of the best players in Denver Broncos history, we now stop at the running back position.
The Broncos have had a number of players in their illustrious history that have been capable of moving the chains. But as we look at some of their numbers, and the production that they were able to sustain, it becomes more apparent who belongs at the top.
Should a player that performed at a high level for just one or two years be considered to be one of the greatest? And what about some of their counterparts were able to do it for a longer number of years?
Today we begin our look at the 10 greatest running backs in Denver Broncos history with numbers 10 through six.
And there just might be a few players that you forgot.
10. Bobby Humphrey 1989-1990
The Denver Broncos had been to two Super Bowls in the John Elway era, but they had been lacking much punch from their running game.
In the 1989 NFL Supplemental Draft the Broncos used a pick on a talented underclassman running back out of the University of Alabama.
Bobby Humphrey came to town and gave the team a different look.
He exploded onto the scene, and racked up 2,386 yards and 15 total touchdowns, in just two seasons.
Humphrey was elected to the Pro Bowl in 1990 but then he held out of training camp because wanted to have his contract renegotiated.
The Broncos refused, and Humphrey ended up holding out until Week 14 of the 1991 NFL season.
By then Denver had moved on to new running back Gaston Green.
They would trade Humphrey to the Miami Dolphins, and he never found the same magic. He was out of the league after just one year with Miami.
9. Gerald Willhite 1982-1988
Willhite may be remembered more for his touchdown celebration backflip, than he was for his actual playing. But lost in that memory, is the fact that he somehow found his way into the end-zone all those times, to do the famous flip.
The Broncos drafted Willhite out of San Jose State with their first round pick in 1982.
His best season was in 1986 when he started 12 games and had 894 yards and eight touchdowns.
He could hurt you in a few different ways, and his ability to dive over the pile at the goal line, allowed him to rack up 22 career touchdowns.
Willhite’s ability to find the end-zone gets him on our list.
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8. Steve Sewell 1985-1991
Don’t let his rushing stats fool you.
Yes, Sewell finished his career with just over 900 yards on the ground.
But Steve Sewell could hurt you in so many ways, and for that, we have to place him in our Top 10.
A 6-3 running back out of the University of Oklahoma, Sewell was drafted by the Broncos with the 26th pick of the 1985 draft, and he proved to be worth the selection.
He was every bit adept at making a key block, as he was running for a first down. And his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield made him a game changer.
Sewell caught 187 passes for over 2,300 yards and 13 touchdowns in his seven-year career.
Oh, and don’t forget that he was capable of actually throwing a few passes himself. Sewell was 4 for 9 for 80 yards and a touchdown, when throwing passes on gadget plays in his career.
Steve Sewell could do it all.
7. Knowshon Moreno 2009-2013
Moreno was drafted out of the University of Georgia with the 12th overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft.
Whether he was worth that high of a selection might be debated, but Moreno was a productive runner during his five year stay in Denver.
He rushed for nearly 3,500 yards and 26 touchdowns, and he was also a solid pass catcher out of the backfield grabbing 157 passes, and scoring nine touchdowns as a receiver.
Moreno was the starting running back on the one of the most proficient offenses of all time in 2013. The Broncos set records for most points, most yards, and most first downs on their way to Super Bowl XLVIII.
And Moreno was a key contributor in that season.
He tallied nearly 1,600 yards and 13 touchdowns in that magical season in Denver.
Moreno played just five seasons in Denver, leaving via free agency to sign with the Miami Dolphins in 2014.
6. Clinton Portis 2002-2003
How is Clinton Portis not higher on this list?
After all, he is the Denver Broncos all-time leader in rushing yards per game with 106.9.
Portis was absolute lightning in a bottle while in Denver.
Drafted out of Miami in 2002, he was the youngest player in NFL history to rush for four touchdowns in a single game in 2002.
And then in 2003, he was the youngest player to rush for five touchdowns in a single game.
Portis rushed for 3,099 yards in his first two seasons in Denver and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2003.
But in 2004 Portis was sent to Washington in the trade that brought cornerback Champ Bailey to the Mile High City.
So while Portis was spectacular in Denver, he only played 29 games in a Bronco uniform.
And that short window of playing time keeps him from cracking our Top 5.
Be sure to check back for the Top five coming later this week!
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