ESPN ranks 5 Broncos among NFL’s best players going into 2026

The Denver Broncos are making a lot of noise on Top 100 lists ahead of the 2026 NFL season. In the months leading up to September, the Broncos had six players get on a peer-reviewed list of the NFL’s Top 100 list, which is one more than in 2025.

Now, on ESPN’s list predicting the top 100 players of 2026, the Broncos added five more names. On both the NFL Top 100 list and the ESPN list, All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain made it inside the top 10 players in the NFL, coming in at No. 10 and No. 7, respectively. On ESPN’s list, however, there is one notable name who was snubbed on the NFL list: offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz, who came in at No. 53 on ESPN’s list.

Meinerz was a finalist for the league’s inaugural “Protector of the Year” award at the NFL Honors in February, but just missed the mark alongside teammate Garett Bolles (No. 37 on ESPN’s list). He is a monster on the offensive line, and is a leader up front on the top-rated unit in the NFL.

On the defensive side, defensive lineman Zach Allen (No. 79) and pass-rusher Nik Bonitto (No. 56) also made the grade, although both feel badly underrated due to their importance on the team.

on ESPN Top 100 list

• CB Pat Surtain II (No. 7)
• LT Garett Bolles (No. 37)
• OG Quinn Meinerz (No. 53)
• LB Nik Bonitto (No. 56)
• DL Zach Allen (No. 79)

Although Meinerz did not get his due on the NFL’s Top 100 list, he finally gets his justice among the armchair analysts from ESPN. The Broncos hope to repeat their deep playoff run from just a season ago, with hopes of returning to the Super Bowl in 2026.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: ESPN ranks 5 Broncos among NFL’s best players going into 2026