With free agency in the air, questions surrounding the Broncos roster will be answered in the ensuing weeks. In recent years, Denver has been one of the heavy hitters in NFL free agency, signing some of the most sought after players in the league. This is a look at some of the best free agents to ever come to the Mile High City.

10: Mark Schlereth: Drafted by the Washington Redskins, Mark “Stink” Schlereth played six seasons with the hogs, where he won one Super Bowl Championship and was selected to one Pro Bowl. Stink signed with Denver prior to the 1995 season, and played the final six years of his career in the orange and blue. Schlereth’s play at guard played a huge role in the success of the late 90’s Broncos rushing attack. Behind Schlereth and the big ugly’s, Terrell Davis and the Broncos produced one of the most dominant running games in the league. Schlereth won two Super Bowl’s with the Broncos and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the 98’ season.

9: Louis Vasquez: Often under-appreciated, Louis Vasquez has played in every game since signing with the Broncos before the 2013 season. After playing four years in San Diego, Vasquez signed with Denver when the sheriff rolled into town. The Broncos have had a lot of roster turnover in the offensive line, due to injury and inconsistent play. Nobody has played as consistently well as Vasquez. His versatility to play either guard position, or even tackle if needed, has been the main reason the offensive line did not completely fall apart. Known for his grit, Vasquez brings intensity and the right amount of nastiness to the offensive line.

8: Rich Jackson: Widely considered one of the toughest players in Denver Bronco history, Rich “Tombstone” Jackson was one bad hombre. A vicious defensive end and furious competitor, Jackson was known for helping pioneer the infamous “head slap” move. Jackson rolled into town in 1967, and spent the rest of his short career with the Broncos. Jackson was a member of the All-AFL team in both 1968 and 69, and was the Broncos first Pro Bowler in 1970. (The AFL-NFL merged in 1970). Jackson was a Pro Bowler in 1971 as well, even playing in just seven games due to a knee injury. In 67 career games with Denver, Jackson recorded 43 sacks, and along with Deacon Jones, was considered one of the finest defensive ends in pro football. If his career was not shortened from injury, Jackson may have gone on to be one of the best defensive ends to ever play the game.

7: Alfred Williams: A hometown favorite, Williams was drafted out of the University of Colorado by the Cincinnati Bengals. Big Al spent the first four years of his career with the Bengals and a year with the 49ers, before signing with Denver prior to the 96’ season. Along with Neil Smith, Williams brought depth and an efficient pass rush to the offensively dominant Broncos. Between the 1996-97 seasons, Williams recorded 21 sacks, and played a huge role in Denver’s Super Bowl runs of the late 90’s.

6: DeMarcus Ware: After nine seasons with the Cowboys, Ware was brought in to help redefine the Denver defense. Following an embarrassing Super Bowl loss to Seattle, the Broncos wanted to become a tougher team. Players like T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib, and Ware were brought in to help the Broncos get over the Super Bowl hump. When healthy, Ware has been one of the most impactful players on this defense. When the lights shined brightest, he stepped up even more. Ware played arguably his best two games as a Bronco in the 2015-16 AFC Championship game and Super Bowl. On two other occasions, he recovered a fumble that secured a victory. Ware’s impact on this team is much deeper than just impressive statistics though. Ware has been a leader of men and tremendous role model, and the Broncos will benefit from it down the road. Younger players like Shaq Barrett and Shane Ray have had the benefit to learn from Ware, and absorb everything he brings to the table. There are questions surrounding whether Ware will be a Bronco for the 2016 NFL season, but even if he never plays another down in Denver, his impact makes him one of the best free agents to ever sign with the Broncos.

5: Aqib Talib: Talib is one of the most exuberant football players I have ever watched. His antics on the field have made him an easy villain for the rest of the league, and even to some Bronco fans. However, on the field, Talib is hands down one of the best cornerbacks to ever play in the NFL. Talib has the speed to keep up with some of the fastest receivers in the league and the physicality to match up with the big boys like Rob Gronkowski. In two seasons with Denver, Talib has recorded seven interceptions, four of which he returned all the way for a touchdowns. Talib plays with a chip on his shoulder, and it shows on a weekly basis. Playing man-to-man as often as the Broncos do, would be a nightmare for most corners. Talib embraces it. His ability to lockdown top receivers on a weekly basis has been a huge reason the Denver defense has been so dominant.

4: Jake “The Snake” Plummer: Jake Plummer came to Denver during a tough transition in Broncos history. After the success of the late 90’s, Denver struggled to find a post-Elway identity. After failed quarterback experiments like Brian Griese and even Danny Kannell, Plummer signed with Denver prior to the 2003 season. In four seasons with the Broncos, Plummer took Denver to the playoffs three times, including a 2005 AFC Championship appearance. Under Mike Shannahan, Plummer had some of the most successful years of his career in a Broncos uniform. Plummer even broke Elway’s team records for touchdowns and passing yards in a season, both of which were later broken by Peyton Manning.

3: John Lynch: After terrorizing the league for a decade-plus, apart of Tampa Bay’s infamous cover-two defenses. Lynch signed with Denver, and played the final four years of his career as a Bronco. (2004-2007). One of the hardest hitting safeties in the league, Lynch averaged nearly 50 tackles a season, and forced nine fumbles in a Denver uniform. His leadership in the locker room was well documented, and Lynch played a large role in Denver’s playoff runs. Even in the latter stages of his career, Lynch was one of the best safeties in the league.

2: Eddie McCaffrey: One of the most popular Broncos in history, McCaffrey spent nine years in a Denver uniform. McCaffrey reeled in 462 catches for 6,200 yards, and 46 touchdowns with the Broncos. Known for his reliable hands and impact blocking, McCaffrey played the game the way football purists dream of. His relentless effort and determination to give it his all on every single snap did not go unnoticed by the Denver faithful. Unfortunately McCaffrey’s career was drastically affected from an iconic Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants. On September 10, 2001, in the first regular season in the new stadium, McCaffrey was hit by Giants safety Shaun Williams late in third quarter. The hit resulted in McCaffrey’s season being over, after leading the team in catches the year before. The crowd famously chanted “Eddie, Eddie” as the tough receiver laid on the field in pain. McCaffrey would bounce back and play two more seasons in Denver, but he was never the same player after that injury. Even so, McCaffrey will always be a Broncos legend.

1: Peyton Manning: Not only is Peyton Manning the best free agent signing in Denver Broncos history, he might be the best free agent signing in professional sports history. Players like Manning are once in a generation, and historically players like that never hit the open market, at least while they still can contribute an elite level. After not missing a start for 13 years, Manning’s streak of 227 consecutive starts ended. Manning had a damaged nerve in his neck, and underwent his third neck surgery in less than two years. Manning missed the entire 2011 season, and was released by Indianapolis after the team drafted Andrew Luck.

The Denver Years:

The Sheriff signed with Denver in March of 2012. In four seasons with Denver,(with technically an option for a fifth still), Manning and the Broncos have had more success than just about any team in the league. Under Manning, Denver has posted a record of 45-12, and won the AFC West every season. When the great quarterback left Indianapolis, nobody thought he would play at such an elite level. His time in Denver has given him the opportunity to silence the critics that seem to have followed him his entire career. Manning brought immediate and consistent success to the Mile High City, and rejuvenated this historic franchise, and it’s fans. Manning was the type of player that attracted other superstars to Denver. His impact on the franchise will continue to be felt, even after he is retired and playing golf somewhere. The Manning-era will go down as one of the most successful time periods in Denver history. More importantly it set the franchise up for success for years to come.

Side Note: Obviously there are plenty of other examples of success free agent signings in Bronco history. Narrowing it down to this list was extremely difficult.