​DENVER, CO – JANUARY 17: Garett Bolles #72 of the Denver Broncos lines up before the snap during an NFL divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field At Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There have been many outstanding offensive linemen in Denver Broncos history, so any list is bound to spark disagreement. My take might be a touch bold, but I’m sticking with it. At the top, Garett Bolles earns the No. 1 spot. Since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2017, he has toiled through one of the franchise’s darkest eras and transformed from a flagged, criticized first-round bust into a perennial All-Pro-caliber left tackle. Even more notably, he has remained a Bronco for his entire career. Beyond him, the rest of the list serves as a nod to the Broncos’ Super Bowl glory.
Garett Bolles, Gary Zimmerman, Tom Nalen, Ryan Clady, Mark Schlereth
Here’s how Mile High Report staff members ranked the top five offensive linemen:
Scotty Payne: Tom Nalen led Mike Shanahan’s line, Ryan Clady was a premier blind-side protector with a Hall of Fame-caliber run before injuries, and Mark Schlereth was a key piece of the Super Bowl-winning OL in the 1990s. I included Bolles and Meinerz with the expectation that both will be recognized on this list once their careers are complete.
Tom Nalen, Ryan Clady, Mark Schlereth, Garett Bolles, Quinn Meinerz
Chris Hart: This group was one of the toughest to pare down. Denver’s history includes many elite linemen, and several deserving names didn’t make the cut. I listed Tom Nalen as the top guy for his longtime reliability at center. We all know what Gary Zimmerman and Mark Schlereth brought to the field, and they’re both Super Bowl champions. The last two slots go to two recent Broncos, left tackles Garret Bolles and Ryan Clady. Bolles remains a high-level player a decade into his career, and Clady was a superb blindside protector whose career was cut short by injury.
Tom Nalen, Gary Zimmerman, Mark Schlereth, Garett Bolles, Ryan Clady
Ian St. Clair: For the first time in Elway’s era, a blind-side protector emerged. Zimmerman is among the all-time greats in that role, with Nalen also deserving of Hall of Fame consideration. Clady was special as well. Bishop was a historic figure, the first Broncos lineman to earn a Pro Bowl invite and an in-game quote that became part of Broncos lore when he called, from Denver’s end zone at old Cleveland Stadium before the two-yard snap for The Drive, “We got ’em right where we want ’em.” Schlereth helped anchor a left side that was one of the league’s best.
Gary Zimmerman, Tom Nalen, Ryan Clady, Keith Bishop, Mark Schlereth
Sadaraine: The top three are largely indisputable, aside from possibly swapping Schlereth and Zimmerman. For SEO purposes, Ken Lanier.