Zach Allen is gaining respect around the NFL.

The Broncos defensive end ranked No. 73 on the NFL’s Top 100 players of 2026 list, the league said Thursday, as voted on by players. Allen has now cracked the list in consecutive years. He rose 17 spots from a No. 90 ranking last season.

Allen received Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro recognition after the 2026 season. He led the NFL in quarterback hits with 47 in addition to 38 tackles, seven sacks and six passes defended. Allen’s 73 quarterback pressures ranked first among interior defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus.

Two Broncos teammates, cornerback Pat Surtain and left tackle Garett Bolles, discussed what makes Allen special on the NFL’s announcement video.

“It’s like watching ballet on grass,” Surtain said. “The moves he does, the counters (and) the swim moves.”

Bolles added: “He’s a freak of nature, for sure. That’s No. 1. No. 2, (he has a) high motor and doesn’t stop. He does it all. Chasing guys down, getting in their face (and) batting balls down. Making sure that running backs can’t get through the lanes.”

Allen is the first Broncos player on the NFL’s Top 100 list in 2026. Further player rankings will continue to be released over the offseason.

The NFL Top 100 (so far)

100. DE Cameron Jordan, Saints

99. OL Quenton Nelson, Colts

98. QB Bryce Young, Panthers

97. LB Ernest Jones, Seahawks

96. RB Travis Etienne, Jaguars

95. LB Demario Davis, Saints

94. OL Creed Humphrey, Chiefs

93. LB Carson Schwesinger, Browns

92. LB Azeez Al-Shaair, Texans

91. DE Montez Sweat, Bears

90. DE Derrick Brown, Panthers

89. RB Kyren Williams, Rams

88. LB Jack Campbell, Lions

87. WR Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers

86. LB Tuli Tuipulotu, Chargers

85. QB Brock Purdy, 49ers

84. LB Byron Young, Rams

83. DT Jeffery Simmons, Titans

82. S Jalen Ramsey, Steelers

81. LB Bobby Wagner, free agent

80. WR AJ Brown, Patriots

79. TE Travis Kelce, Chiefs

78. LB Josh Sweat, Cardinals

77. QB Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers

76. CB Jaycee Horn, Panthers

75. S Budda Baker, Cardinals

74. RB Josh Jacobs, Packers

73. DE Zach Allen, Broncos