​We’re wrapping up our discussion with a look at the top five safeties in Denver Broncos history. The safety position has a rich heritage, and the conversation is bound to be lengthy and lively given how much great play there has been over the years. My personal all-time favorite defensive player is Steve Atwater. Whenever I’d grab a neighborhood pick-up game of street ball, I’d imitate Atwater because he was a true force on the field throughout the 1990s. In my ranking, I chose the best safety from each decade—from the 1960s through the 1990s—before concluding with a Super Bowl 50 champion from the No Fly Zone era.
There are only two Bronco safeties from the early 1960s who I believe merit Hall of Fame consideration. Lionel Taylor stands out as the obvious, clear Hall of Fame talent who dominated his entire career, even when facing frequent double and triple teams. The other is Goose Gonsoulin, a player who always seemed to be in the right place at the right moment whenever the ball came his way. The team endured a lot of losing seasons, so national recognition never fully materialized for them outside of Denver.
Steve Atwater
Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin
Dennis Smith
Billy Thompson
Here’s where our Mile High Report staff placed their top five safeties:
Scotty Payne’s picks:
– Steve Atwater is obvious
– Justin Simmons was excellent on some challenging teams
– Brian Dawkins and John Lynch finished their Hall of Fame careers with the Broncos
– TJ Ward was the enforcer in the middle of the No Fly Zone/SB 50-winning squad
Steve Atwater
Justin Simmons
John Lynch
Brian Dawkins
TJ Ward
Chris Hart’s perspective:
This list was tough to rank, too. It’s packed with elite playmakers from different eras, many of whom were before my personal Broncos fandom began. The longevity and production of the players listed above are remarkable. Most, if not all, except Goose Gonsoulin, contributed for a decade or more and left a lasting mark on franchise history.
Steve Atwater
Dennis Smith
Bill Thompson
Steve Foley
Goose Gonsoulin
Joe Mahoney’s take:
This ranking was especially challenging because interceptions used to flow to defensive backs in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. So we weighed factors like tackles, forced fumbles, and postseason awards. Everyone on the list has notable credentials, with the exception of Steve Foley, who never made the Pro Bowl (in the era when it carried significant weight) but was a crucial part of the Broncos’ defense bridging the Orange Crush to the Elway era. The rest of the list hardly needs justification: Atwater is a Hall of Famer; Smith and Goose should be as well; Simmons was the heart of the defense through much of the rough decade after SB50.
Steve Atwater
Dennis Smith
Steve Foley
Goose Gonsoulin
Justin Simmons
Sadaraine’s take:
Steve Atwater is the GOAT. Dennis Smith is just a step behind him. Goose Gonsoulin recorded 43 interceptions in only six years, long before the passing game reached its later-era sophistication. Steve Foley and Tyrone Braxton were also pivotal players in the Broncos’ Super Bowl eras.
Steve Atwater
Dennis Smith
Steve Foley
Goose Gonsoulin
Justin Simmons
For better SEO and to ensure a thorough look at Broncos history, here’s a consolidated view: Steve Atwater stands as the premier safety in Broncos lore, a legacy that endures in franchise history. Dennis Smith is right behind him, with Goose Gonsoulin’s 43 interceptions in six seasons marking a historically notable impact. Steve Foley and Tyrone Braxton contributed significantly during the Super Bowl eras, while Justin Simmons has carried the No Fly Zone’s spirit into the modern era, anchoring a tough defensive unit through the team’s challenging years and beyond.