Denver Broncos training camp battle 2018: Punt returner

The Denver Broncos must find stability at the punt return position. Which player will seize the role and turn it from a weakness to a strength in 2018?

Even with the uncertainty he would catch the football every time, the Denver Broncos at least had a dynamic scoring threat in punt returner Trindon Holliday, who finished the 2012 season with four total return touchdowns and an average per punt return of 10.4 yards.

In 2017, the Broncos believed fifth-round pick Isaiah McKenzie would be that dynamic threat as a punt returner and former special teams coordinator Brock Olivo even went so far as to call McKenzie one of the best ‘catchers’ of punts in last year’s draft class.

The Broncos’ confidence in McKenzie remained throughout a very difficult regular season in which he fumbled six times, averaging less than nine yards per punt return.

Those numbers are a stark difference compared to Holliday’s considering Holliday proved capable of scoring and was much more effective on a per-return basis even with his five fumbles.

Which player will step up and return punts for the Broncos in 2018?

Let’s take a look at some of the candidates…