Football is a game of big guys, and there aren’t many bigger than offensive tackles.
The Denver Broncos have three Lombardi Trophies and five more appearances, and they couldn’t have done any of that without their fair share of quality lineman. With that said, here are the five greatest offensive tackles in Denver Broncos history:
(To check out the rest of our rankings, click here)
5. Tony Jones
Years with Broncos: 1997-00 (4 seasons)
Accolades: 1-time AP 2nd-team All Pro; 2-time Super Bowl champion
Tony Jones isn’t necessarily a “Bronco,” but he was a Bronco when it mattered most.
Jones had an 13-year career in the NFL, playing left and right tackle for the Browns/Ravens (9 seasons) and Broncos (4 seasons).
He joined the Broncos in 1997, playing alongside Hall of Fame tackle Gary Zimmerman at right tackle, before moving to left tackle full time the next season. He helped solidify one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, a line that blocked for a 2,000-yard rusher, Terrell Davis.
Unlike any other player on this list, Jones earned two Super Bowl rings with the Denver Broncos, and will forever be remembered for bringing the Mile High City two of its most special seasons in team history.
4. Matt Lepsis
Years with Broncos: 1998-2007 (10 seasons)
Accolades: 1-time Super Bowl champion
Matt Lepsis was technically a member of the ’98 championship team, but as an undrafted rookie, he didn’t play much at all. In fact, he didn’t earn his first start until the next season, where he would proceed to start 133 games for the Broncos over the next nine.
Lepsis never was an All Pro or Pro Bowler, but he was a fan favorite; he was the face of the offensive line. He’s the man who bridged the gap between Gary Zimmerman and Ryan Clady, and for a guy who didn’t even get drafted, he did a darn good job.
Maybe Lepsis never became a household name (most lineman don’t), but 32 out of 32 teams in the NFL would love to have five Matt Lepsis on their team.
3. Ken Lanier
Years with Broncos: 1981-92, 1994 (13 seasons)
Accolades: 3 Super Bowl appearances
Ken Lanier … Matt Lepsis before Matt Lepsis.
Like Lepsis, Lanier, who played 13 seasons in Denver, never earned a Pro Bowl trip or an All Pro nod, but he was a staple of the Broncos franchise.
Now, you could make the argument that the Broncos haven’t had many great tackles in their history (only two have ever been named to an All-Pro team). You could also make the argument that the Broncos have had several of the most underrated tackles in their history.
Lanier never earned national attention, but he was a very, very good right tackle for the Denver Broncos, and he helped lead them to three Super Bowl appearances.
2. Ryan Clady
Years with Broncos: 2008-15 (8 seasons)
Accolades: 4-time Pro Bowler; 2-time AP 1st-Team All Pro; 1-time AP 2nd-Team All Pro; 2 Super Bowl Appearances; 1-time Super Bowl champion
I’m not going to lie … a part of me really wanted to rank Ryan Clady No. 1. For a time, you could make the argument that Clady was the best offensive tackle in the NFL, and if he wasn’t the best, he was definitely in the top three or four. And when compared to Zimmerman, he’s more of a “Bronco.”
But I just can’t look past the fact that in the two biggest, most-important seasons during his tenure, Clady was absent.
Now, that’s not his fault; injuries happen. But it’s hard for me to say a guy is the greatest anything in franchise history when he has two Super Bowl appearances but didn’t play in either of them.
1. Gary Zimmerman
Years with Broncos: 1993-97 (5 seasons)
Accolades: Hall of Fame; 7-time Pro Bowler; 3-time 1st-Team All Pro; 2-time AP 2nd-Team All Pro; 1-time Super Bowl Champion
Much like Peyton Manning, Gary Zimmerman joined the Broncos as a free agent after enjoying a Hall of Fame-caliber career with another organization and made the most of it.
After five seasons in Denver, Zimmerman walked out a champion, leading the Broncos and their offensive line to the first title in franchise history.
While there were a lot of factors that went into that championship, Zimmerman was clearly one of the most important. Not only did he help block for the nearly unstoppable Terrell Davis, but he did everything he could to keep the aging John Elway upright in his 15th season.
Pound for pound, Zimmerman is the best lineman to ever suit up for the Broncos, and he’s well-deserving of being No. 1 on this list.