The Denver Broncos are often associated with terrific quarterback play, thanks to the illustrious career of Pro Football Hall of Famer and multi-time Super Bowl champion, John Elway, who currently serves as a top front office executive for the heralded AFC West franchise. However, the Broncos were a successful team for many years and have won a total of eight AFC Championships to coincide with the team's trio of Super Bowl titles—all of which took full team efforts from every angle.

Often forgotten or tossed aside in today's game, the running back was once a very essential position for NFL franchises while the Broncos have been no exception over the years. In addition to stringing together some memorable seasons and moments at other key positions, Broncos running backs have definitely attributed their fair share of accolades and memories to the legacy of this organization as well.

Although there have been quite a few impressive, prolific and loyal rushers in Denver since the franchise's inception all the way back in 1960-61, it is very hard to argue against the top three running backs in Broncos history.

1. Terrell Davis (1995-2001) 

Now officially a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there is absolutely no way around the fact that longtime Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis is the best player that this franchise has ever seen at the position. Despite only suiting up for seven seasons atop the highest level, Davis notably spent his entire NFL playing career as a member of the Broncos en route to becoming the team's all-time leader in every major category for a running back.

Appearing in 77 career regular-season games for the Broncos, Davis rushed for 7,607 yards and an even 60 touchdowns on 1,655 carries. Even 20 years after his retirement from the NFL, Davis remains the team's all-time leader in each of those three categories.

A two-time Super Bowl champion, three-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, Davis was also tabbed as the league's Offensive Player of the Year twice while serving as the NFL MVP in 1998-99. Perhaps most impressively, Davis became just one of seven players in the history of the NFL to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season upon recording 2,008 rushing yards in 1998-99. The Broncos reached the playoffs four times under the leadership of Davis, including in three straight seasons from 1996-97 to 1998-99.

2. Floyd Little (1967-75) 

Prior to fellow running back Terrell Davis' arrival in Colorado, longtime Denver Broncos running back Floyd Little was no doubt categorized as the best to ever do it at the position for AFC powerhouse. Spending a total of nine seasons with the organization, like Davis, Little also spent his entire NFL playing career as a member of the Broncos while going on to record 6,323 rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns on 1,641 carries.

Also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Little ranks behind only Davis in all three of those major categories in regards to the Broncos' all-time rankings. Appearing in 117 career regular-season games before eventually hanging his cleats up after nearly a decade in Denver, Little was a five-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro selection, though he was unfortunately never able to play a single postseason game atop the highest level. Even though the Broncos couldn't even manage a winning record between 1967-68 and 1975-76, Little was ultimately—and appropriately—enshrined in Canton back in 2010 at nearly 70 years old.

3. Sammy Winder (1982-90)

Although not a Pro Football Hall of Famer like the pair of legends that are Terrell Davis and Floyd Little, longtime Denver Broncos running back Sammy Winder was yet another rusher that spent his entire NFL playing career with the franchise. As a result of his nine-year stint in Denver, Winder helped lead the Broncos to five appearances in the postseason, all of which was highlighted by back-to-back AFC Championships in 1986-87 and 1987-88.

Winder and the Broncos would reach a third Super Bowl in 1989-90, though Denver would once again come up just shy of a title. Nonetheless, Winder was absolutely stellar during his time with the Broncos as he currently ranks third on many of the team's all-time rushing lists. Ranking third behind only the tandem of Davis and Little in terms of career rushing yards, rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns, Winder strung together 5,427 rushing yards, 39 rushing touchdowns and 1,495 carries in all.

Reaching two Pro Bowls as a member of the Broncos, Winder notably appeared in 127 career regular season games with the franchise, the most by a running back in Denver history—even more than both Davis and Little.