Five former Broncos have made the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s list of 25 semifinalists for the class of 2016.

Running back Terrell Davis (a Bronco from 1995-01), safety John Lynch (2004-07), safety Steve Atwater (1989-98), linebacker Karl Mecklenburg (1983-94) and cornerback Ty Law (2009) are among the group of 22 players and three coaches that still have a shot at making the hall.

All have been semifinalists before, with Davis leading the way at 10 times.

The Broncos’ all-time leading rusher, with 7,607 yards and 60 touchdowns, has been a semifinalist every year that he has been eligible since his retirement in 2002.

And each time, he’s watched as others got in ahead of him. Last year, Davis watched as Jerome Bettis got the nod from the hall of fame selection committee.

“I just wait. I look at it. I watch it closely, more than I did before,” Davis said in August during a Broncos training camp practice. “I never looked at it before, but now I do. I look at it. Congratulations to Jerome Bettis for going in. But for me, it’s something I just can’t, I can’t control it. It’s hard to worry about it because I just can’t do anything. The work is done. The hay is in the barn, as they say. I just have to wait patiently and hope that they find me worthy to enshrine me.”

The 2016 hall of fame candidates will be whittled down to 15 in early January before the finalists are selected Jan. 31.

Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or @NickiJhabvala