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Denver Broncos trade up in fifth round, draft Isaiah McKenzie

By Sayre Bedinger

Nov 19, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Broncos used the 172nd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft acquired from Green Bay to select Isaiah McKenzie, WR from Georgia…

With their second pick in the fifth round (acquired from Cleveland), the Denver Broncos traded up with the Green Bay Packers three spots to select Georgia wide receiver/return specialist Isaiah McKenzie, one of the most explosive playmakers in this year’s class.

McKenzie is a smaller receiver who can be used as a sort of gadget player within an offense, but he will make his mark on special teams as a punt returner, where he is phenomenal.

While at Georgia, McKenzie proved his value as both a receiver and returner, taking back six total kicks for touchdowns and leading the Georgia team this past year with 633 yards receiving and seven receiving touchdowns. It’s impossible to watch this guy’s highlights and not be impressed by his quickness and deep speed.

Those two traits have been a focus for the Broncos over their last four selections. In the third round, they drafted Carlos Henderson and Brendan Langley, two players with phenomenal deep speed and short-area quickness.

After selecting stud tight end Jake Butt at the top of the fifth round, the Broncos take McKenzie here and get a guy that can perhaps eventually play a Taylor Gabriel or Tyreek Hill role.

This now gives the Broncos three legitimate threats to return kicks and punts from this draft class, including the aforementioned Henderson and Langley. Special teams is always a great way for players to break into the league, and McKenzie will put his ability to make plays in space on display for the Broncos early on in that regard.

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