Denver Broncos: Previewing the 2018 special teams unit
Punt Return
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There are few things more frustrating than watching your teams defense get a stop, just to have a punt returner muff a punt. Unfortunately, Broncos fans had to watch it happen seven too many times last year. Six courtesy of Isiah McKenzie and one courtesy of Jordan Taylor.
Both are still on the Broncos roster, and both have still been getting work as the punt returner so far this off-season (aside from Taylor being out with a hip injury).
Especially in the case of Isiah McKenzie, another year of work could prove to be extremely helpful for gaining confidence and experience at the position.
Denver is in no rush to name a punt returner and has been giving plenty of different players an opportunity to get some work at the position. Along with Taylor and McKenzie, rookies Royce Freeman, DaeSean Hamilton, and Phillip Lindsay have all been getting some work returning punts.
Kick Return
The Broncos haven’t returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 2013.
In other words, they are due. The question is, who will be the one with the ball crossing the goal-line next season? Last year the Broncos had Devonte Booker, Cody Latimer, and Brenden Langley do the bulk of the kick returning.
Next: What we learned from Broncos OTAs
Latimer is no longer an option, but Booker and Langley should both be back and viable options. Other names to look out for could be Carlos Henderson, De’Angelo Henderson, Jordan Taylor, or maybe even Phillip Lindsay if he is able to make the team.