With a decade in Colorado sports coming to a close, The Denver Post takes a look at the best players from 2010 through 2019 for each of Denver’s major professional franchises. The Broncos will be divided into two all-decade teams. Today: defense/special teams.
Defensive linemen
Years: 2012-present.
Key statistics: Has started 108 regular-season games. Totaled 303 tackles (46 for lost yardage) and 33 sacks.
Comment: Four years of at least 5 1/2 sacks, including a career-high seven this year before sustaining a left dislocated elbow on Dec. 1. Started all 16 games in 2012, ’14 and ‘18.
Elvis Dumervil
Years: 2006-12.
Key statistics: Played 91 games (75 starts). Posted 63 1/ 2 sacks, 225 tackles and 16 forced fumbles.
Comment: A fourth-round pick in 2006, had three double-digit sack years (2007, ’09 and ’12). Led the NFL with 17 sacks in ‘09, the first of his three selections and his first All-Pro nod. Played four years for Baltimore (2013-16) and one for San Francisco (2017).
Years: 2012-15.
Key statistics: Played 62 games (24 starts), and had 14 1/2 sacks and 147 tackles (27 for lost yardage).
Comment: A fifth-round pick in 2012, started only eight games in first three years before starting every game in the 2015 season. Signed with Jacksonville in March 2016 and made the Pro Bowl in ’17. Released by the Jaguars, joined Philadelphia, playing one game and sustaining a foot injury.
Outside linebackers
Years: 2011-present.
Key statistics: In 134 games (all starts), has 105 sacks and 486 tackles.
Comment: One of the best players in Broncos history. A three-time first-team All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection. Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 and Super Bowl MVP in 2015. Is the franchise’s all-time record holder for sacks.
Years: 2014-16.
Key statistics: Played 37 games (33 starts), had 21 1/2 sacks and 85 tackles. Had 10 sacks in 2014.
Comment: Joined the Broncos for the final three seasons of a 12-year career that included 138 1/2 sacks. Made the Pro Bowl in 2014-15. Played every game in 2014, but missed combined 11 games over final two years.
Inside linebackers
Years: 2013-18.
Key statistics: Played in 69 games (63 starts), making 423 tackles with two interceptions and five forced fumbles.
Comment: Signed to the Broncos practice squad in 2013, became a starter the following season. Didn’t make a Pro Bowl, but had at least 101 tackles in 2014-15 and ’17. Knee injury in ’18 limited him to 11 games and he departed for Oakland (did not appear in a game this year).
Years: 2012-15.
Key statistics: Played in 50 games (32 starts) and had 302 tackles, three forced fumbles and five interceptions.
Comment: Another late-round find (sixth round in ’12), started all but one game in 2013 and ’15 (the Broncos’ last two Super Bowl seasons) and had 152 and 109 tackles, respectively. Signed as a free agent with Chicago in ’16.
Cornerbacks
Chris Harris
Years: 2011-18.
Key statistics: In 137 games (119 starts), had 510 tackles and 20 interceptions.
Comment: Undrafted out of Kansas, became full-time player in second season. Four-time Pro Bowl selection (2014-16 and ’18) and All-Pro in ’16. Had at least two interceptions per season from 2012-18. His contract runs out after this season.
Years: 2014-17.
Key statistics: Played and started in 58 games. Made 186 tackles and intercepted 11 passes among his 48 total pass breakups.
Comment: Signed from New England as a free agent in 2014, was named to the Pro Bowl in all four of his Broncos seasons and was All-Pro in ’16. Returned six interceptions for touchdowns. Traded to the Los Angeles Rams in ’18 and now under contract with Miami.
Safeties
Years: 2014-16.
Key statistics: Played and started in 41 games and was a member of the 2015 Super Bowl team. Totaled 224 tackles and five forced fumbles.
Comment: Signed from Cleveland in 2014, made Pro Bowl in first year for Broncos. Had 87 tackles in ’16, but was released. Played 12 games for Tampa Bay in ’17.
Years: 2016-present.
Key statistics:In 57 games (47 starts), has 273 tackles and 10 interceptions.
Comment: Durable player who hasn’t missed a snap since the start of the 2018 season. Scheduled to become a free agent for the first time in March. Has at least two interceptions in each of his four pro seasons.
Kicker
Brandon McManus
Years: 2014-present.
Key statistics: In 93 games, he is 138 of 169 on field goals and 194 of 197 on point-after attempts.
Comment:In Sunday’s win over Detroit, moved into fourth place in Broncos history in field goals made. Has reached 100 points scored three times (2015-16 and ’19).
Punter
Britton Colquitt
Years: 2009-15.
Key statistics: In 96 games, averaged 45.2 yards on 472 punts. Led NFL in punting yards (4,783) in 2010.
Comment: Following Broncos tenure, punted three years for Cleveland and is currently with Minnesota.
