As we run towards the end of these top five lists, it is clear that the Denver Broncos have had much more impactful defensive players than offensive ones. There are greats on both sides, but there seems to be a lot more great defensive players to choose from. These lists are getting quite difficult.
For inside linebacker, I initially put Karl Mecklenburg at edge but I looked it up and he was officially listed as an inside linebacker. Though I definitely recall him lining up all over the place and creating
havoc. After that, I had to go with Al Wilson who single-handedly tried to will those 2000s teams to a Super Bowl appearance. Then, of course, how can any of us middle aged fans forget John Mobley’s Super Bowl sealing pass breakup?
- Randy Gradishar
- Karl Mecklenburg
- Al Wilson
- John Mobley
- DJ Williams
Here’s where our Mile High Report staff landed on the top five for inside linebacker:
Scotty Payne: Gradishar and Mecklenburg are the obvious ones, followed by hard-hitting Al Wilson. I had Dyme Lyfe DJ Williams making this list followed by Tom Jackson because I didn’t include him in EDGE and that felt wrong, so here you go.
- Randy Gradishar
- Karl Mecklenburg
- Al Wilson
- DJ Williams
- Tom Jackson
Chris Hart: Another position group where the Broncos have touted a lot of incredible players. Gradishar, Mecklenberg, and Jackson all had fantastic careers and dominated defensively. Those were an easy first three to mention. In recent history, Wilson and Williams stood out in my mind. Wilson may have been the last great linebacker Denver touted, but Williams was a versatile player who stepped up at SAM, WILL, and MIKE during his nine-year career with the team. A part of me wonders just how good Williams could have been had he spent his whole career at the weakside spot.
- Randy Gradishar
- Karl Mecklenberg
- Tom Jackson
- Al Wilson
- D.J. Williams
Joe Mahoney: Here is my Top 5:
- Randy Gradishar
- Al WIlson
- John Mobley
- DJ Williams
- Danny Trevathan
Sadaraine: I don’t include edge players in this ranking. Randy Gradishar was an absolute wonder at linebacker. He’s arguably the best middle linebacker in all NFL history. Karl Mecklenburg was an absolute monster who played all over the defensive front and wrecked games constantly. I can’t leave Mobley off this list for making the play to seal our first Super Bowl victory (and he was a great linebacker aside from that). Al Wilson was the last amazing talent we had in the middle of the field.
- Randy Gradishar
- Karl Mecklenburg
- Al Wilson
- John Mobley
- Ian Gold
Ian St. Clair: Gradishar is a no-brainer but so is Mecklenberg. The Albino Rhino should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as one of the best to ever do it. Jackson paired with Gradishar and was just as good on the Broncos defense. Wilson was a beast, and Mobley helped secure the Super Bowl XXXII win (he was also pretty dang good).
- Randy Gradishar
- Karl Mecklenberg
- Tom Jackson
- Al Wilson
- John Mobley
The storied history of defense in Denver makes these top five lists almost impossible. It’s only going to get more difficult with cornerback and safety coming up. Who gets into your top five inside linebacker list?
