ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Seven Broncos Ring of Famers are among the nearly 200 players that have been nominated as Senior candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025.

Wide receivers Lionel Taylor and Rick Upchurch, defensive end Rich "Tombstone" Jackson, linebackers Tom Jackson and Karl Mecklenburg, safety Dennis Smith and cornerback Louis Wright were all among the nominees.

Former running back Sammy Winder, defensive end Lyle Alzado, wide receiver Bob Scarpitto and defensive lineman Michael Dean Perry were also nominated to the candidate pool.

Taylor finished his career as the Broncos' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. He also led the AFL in receiving for five of the league's first six seasons. Taylor was a three-time All-AFL selection.

Upchurch made four Pro Bowls and five AP All-Pro teams as a returner and was named a first-team 1970s NFL All-Decade selection. He also earned second-team All-Decade honors for the 1980s. Upchurch's eight career punt-return touchdowns were tied for the most in NFL history at the time of his retirement.

Rich "Tombstone" Jackson was the first Bronco to be named to the All-NFL team, and his 43 sacks ranked first in team history at the time of his retirement. One of the Broncos' four original Ring of Famers, Jackson was considered perhaps the best defensive end in pro football during his era.

Tom Jackson finished his career with the most games played in franchise history and was a two-time first-team All-Pro. Jackson also earned three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 1977-79 and was a key member of the Broncos' Orange Crush defense.

After being drafted in the 12th round in 1983, Mecklenburg went on to make six Pro Bowls during his outstanding career. Mecklenburg finished his career with a then-franchise-record 79 sacks and posted more than 1,100 tackles in his career.

Smith was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and finished his career ranked fifth in games started in team history. He is one of just four players to play at least 14 seasons in Denver, and he ranked fifth in franchise history in interceptions at the time of his retirement.

Wright was also a key piece of the Broncos' Orange Crush defense that helped the Broncos advance to their first Super Bowl, and he recorded five Pro Bowl selections during his career. Wright was twice the Broncos' defensive MVP as he helped the team earn six playoff appearances, four division titles and two Super Bowl appearances.

The newly created Seniors Screening Committee will reduce the list to 50 players over the next several weeks, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A separate Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee will then further narrow the list before picking three finalists later in the fall.

To be eligible for this year's Senior nomination list, a player could not have appeared in a game following the 1999 season.