Top 10 WRs in Denver Broncos history: No. 5 – No. 1
Today we continue our look back at the 10 greatest wide receivers in the Denver Broncos history.
If you missed the first five in our list earlier this week, you can see them here: Best Broncos WRs 10-6
We now get down to the best of the best.
The Broncos have had some great receivers in their franchise history, but they have as yet to have a single one inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Could any of the guys on this list be worthy of that honor?
Check out the top five receivers to ever play in orange and blue!
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5. Vance Johnson 1985-1993, 95
The most productive of the “Three Amigos”, Johnson may have been known for his style, but he actually did have quite a bit of substance.
A world class long jumper, Johnson just missed making the 1984 U.S. Olympic team.
The Broncos selected him with their second round pick of the 1985 NFL Draft out of the University of Arizona.
He turned out to be more than just a “track guy” as he became one of John Elway’s most trusted receivers.
In his 10 seasons in Denver “The Vance” caught 415 passes for nearly 5,700 yards.
He scored 41 touchdowns in his career and his 35 touchdown receptions from John Elway rank him 2 nd all-time among Elway’s touchdown targets.
It is easy to remember the haircuts, the flashy clothes, and the motorcycles, but Vance Johnson had some very good seasons in Denver.
4. Ed McCaffrey 1995-2003
McCaffrey took an interesting path to Denver but he turned out to be a huge fan favorite and one of the best receivers in team history.
Selected in the 3 rd round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, McCaffrey struggles to garner much playing time. He caught just 92 passes in three seasons and Giants coach Dan Reeves would cut McCaffrey following the 1993 NFL season.
He spent a season in San Francisco, with the 49ers, where he mostly contributed on special teams. But he caught the eye of assistant coach Mike Shanahan who would bring Eddie to Denver when he got the head coaching job in 1995.
McCaffrey proved to be the perfect fit for Shanahan’s offense.
He may have seemed big and slow to Reeves, but he was tough and sure-handed in Denver. And he was a tenacious downfield blocker, which made him even more valuable.
Eddie Mac caught 462 passes for 6,200 yards and 46 touchdowns in Denver, and chants of “Ed-die! Ed-die” could be heard throughout the Mile High City.
He was a part of back to back Super Bowl victories in 1997-1998.
3. Haven Moses 1972-1981
The Broncos have a former Bronco to thank for their No. 3 entry on our list.
Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1968, Haven Moses did not see eye to eye with former Bronco coach Lou Saban, and Saban would trade him to Denver in 1972.
We ended up being one of the all-time greats and a model of class in the Denver community.
Teamed up with quarterback Charlie Johnson, Moses would be named to the Pro Bowl in 1973, but when Craig Morton came to town is when Haven really took off.
He would compile 302 catches for 5,450 yards and 44 touchdowns over 10 seasons in Denver and he saved some of his best games for the biggest moments.
In the 1977 AFC Championship game, Moses faced one of the greatest defensive backfields in NFL history. The defending Super Bowl XI champion Oakland Raiders secondary consisted of Lester Hayes, Willie Brown, Jack Tatum, and Skip Thomas.
But the “M&M Connection” of Morton and Moses would hook up five times, gaining 168 yards and scoring two touchdowns.
The Broncos would upset the Raiders and go to the first Super Bowl in franchise history.
Haven Moses played in an era when defensive backs had license to do nearly anything.
His toughness and intelligence allowed him to compete at the highest levels.
2. Lionel Taylor 1960-1966
Taylor came to Denver for the Broncos’ inaugural 1960 season, but he wasn’t even an offensive player.
He actually played linebacker for the Chicago Bears in 1959, and was looking for a job in the defensive backfield.
But Taylor’s hands caught the eye of Broncos head coach Frank Filchock and he made Taylor a wide receiver.
It turned out to be a brilliant move.
Taylor was the first receiver in NFL history to catch over 100 passes in a single season, and he did it in just 14 games in 1961.
Taylor would play seven seasons in Denver, racking up 543 catches for 6,872 yards and 44 touchdowns. He was an All-AFL selection in 1960, 61’, and 65, and he was named to the AFL All Star game in 1962.
Taylor’s set receiving records that stood for over 30 years in Denver.
But biggest of all, he did it all with bad teams, and less than spectacular surrounding talent.
What could Taylor have done in today’s game?
1. Rod Smith 1995-2007
We probably should have known that there was something a little bit different about Rod Smith after his very first NFL catch.
In Week 3 of the 1995 NFL season, the Broncos found themselves tied 31-31 with the Washington Redskins, with just six seconds remaining in the game.
Quarterback John Elway threw up a prayer to the end-zone, and Smith pulled it down to complete the 43-yard game winning score.
12 seasons later, Smith would retire as the greatest wide receiver in Denver Broncos history.
Undrafted after an excellent career at Missouri Southern State University, Smith signed with the Broncos in 1994, and would go on to become the only undrafted player in NFL history to rack up at least 10,000 receiving yards.
He finished his career as the all-time franchise leader in yards from scrimmage (11,737), career receptions (849), receiving yards (11,389), and touchdown catches (68).
He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2000, 2001, and 2005 and was a Super Bowl champion in 1997 and 1998.
You could make a case that he was deserving of the Super Bowl XXXIII MVP, when he caught five passes for 152 yards, and a touchdown.
He wasn’t the biggest or the fastest, but no wide receiver worked harder and produced more while wearing the blue and orange than Rod Smith.
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