Von Miller and 5 of the Best Rookie Performances in Denver Broncos History

Denver Broncos rookie linebacker Von Miller has a chance to add to his season sack total of 10.5 going into this Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Miller is closing in on the current rookie record of 14.5 sacks posted by Jevon Kearse in the 1999 season for the Tennessee Titans. In doing so, Miller has put himself on the short list for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year as well as potential All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.

Miller’s performance this season is sure to be among the best from a rookie in Denver Broncos’ history, but where does he fit in all time? Here’s a look at some historical Broncos rookie performances.

5. Rulon Jones: 1980

Rulon Jones was Von Miller before Von Miller. Jones spent his college career at Utah State, and was drafted 42^nd overall.

Until Von Miller breaks the Broncos’ team record for sacks of 11.5 (He has 10.5 with five games to play), Rulon Jones remains the team record holder for sacks in a rookie season.

During Jones’ first two seasons, sacks weren’t kept as an official statistic, but getting to the quarterback was just as important back then as it is today.

Jones played all 16 games of his rookie season, but unlike Miller, he only was named an official starter in two.

4. Ryan Clady: 2008

Denver Broncos offensive lineman Ryan Clady was selected as the 12^th pick overall in the 2008 draft, and as such became the highest drafted Boise State player to be drafted to the NFL, as well as the first from the school to be selected in the first round.

As a highly touted pick, one would expect greatness, but as we all know, first-round picks are either boom or bust.

Clady made an immediate impact for the team, however, starting all of the games of the 2008 season while only surrendering half a sack and committing three penalties.

He achieved accolades such as Offensive Rookie of the Week for the week of December 12^th, 2008, and eventually won All-Pro recognition at the end of the season.

3. Eddie Royal: 2008

Like Rulon Jones, Eddie Royal was drafted 42nd overall, with Royal being part of the 2008 draft class. Despite being a wide-receiver, the Royal pick was applauded due to his prowess in the return game.

But Royal would make an immediate impact as a wide-out from day one. In the season opener at the Oakland Coliseum, Royal would contribute to the Broncos’ 41-14 rout by contributing nine catches for 146 yards and one touchdown.

The next week was perhaps even more memorable, as he caught both the Broncos’ final touchdown and winning two-point conversion in a 39-38 win over the visiting San Diego Chargers.

By the end of the season, Royal posted arguably the best season in Broncos franchise history for a rookie wide receiver, with team records in yards (980) and touchdowns (5).

2. Terrell Davis: 1995

In his first season as head coach of the Broncos, Mike Shanahan drafted Terrell Davis with a sixth-round pick (196^th overall).

Davis was a long shot to make the team from the get-go, but with a strong preseason, he earned the starting tailback job by Game 1 of the regular season. That season, Davis went on to start 14 games, averaging 4.7 yards per season.

He ended the season with a total of 1,117 yards and eight touchdowns and was the lowest drafted player ever to gain over 1,000 yards in a rookie season.

1. Floyd Little: 1967

Before Terrell Davis, Floyd Little was the best running back in Denver Broncos history.

Little was the first of first-round draft picks to sign with the Broncos; previous selections such as Dick Butkus and Merlin Olsen had fled to the high profile NFL.

Little made an immediate impact, leading the AFL in combined yards as well as being the only AFL player that year to return a punt return for a touchdown.

To date, Little is one of only a handful of Broncos who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Von Miller certainly has earned his own spot among the list of top rookie performances all time in Denver Broncos’ team history, and there are sure to be many not mentioned in this article.

Do you have a memorable Denver Broncos rookie moment? Post it in the comments section below.