Isaiah McKenzie was one of the team’s biggest disappointments of the 2017 season. After day one of camp, he seems to have fixed some things.
The next stop on the takeaways on the first day at Denver Broncos Training Camp is the wide receiver position, which is one of the deepest in recent memory.
There’s been buzz of possible production in the last handful of years with Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler and Jordan Taylor. However, there were no consistent signs to solidify a future. This season, the Denver Broncos appear headed in the right direction with additions of Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton. Both made their presence felt on day one.
Fans can clearly tell the size of of Sutton up close. He is an imposing figure listed at 6’4 and 220 pounds. That frame will do him well when facing taller cornerbacks.
Isaiah McKenzie for me. Followed by Phillip Lindsay. https://t.co/lw2iHQRcFd
— 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙧 (@CameronParkerPO) July 28, 2018
On the other hand, Hamilton is a slender body more to the likes of Emmanuel Sanders. Hamilton caught the eye of Paxton Lynch on day one of Training Camp. It is this rapport that makes a quarterback’s life easy.
There was not one wide receiver though that made the biggest impact on day one than Isaiah McKenzie. As outlined in previous articles, McKenzie is lightning in a bottle. Last year was a season to forget, but it is also more reason to ensure it never happens again. We all have battles to fight and Isaiah McKenzie appears to face his battle head on as day one closes.
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McKenzie dealt with numerous muffed punts that switched field position and increased turnover outcome. However, patience is still a virtue. We must apply patience with him despite last season. One play from today’s practice begs the question. Can McKenzie can assume a larger role than returner?
Lynch found McKenzie in a soft spot of the middle part of the field. It was a great throw, but an even better yards after the catch. McKenzie utilized a talent that’s pure God-given: speed.
Speed is something you cannot teach and McKenzie is near the fastest player on the team. This is what makes this particular play fascinating.
Bill Musgrave’s offense is about getting the best players the ball with space to work with. If McKenzie can hone on a better route running, he will be a matchup nightmare. As of right now, McKenzie is in a really good spot to be the team’s number five wide receiver.
If this trend continues with McKenzie, then it confirms everything Broncos Country and possibly the Denver Broncos believe. The wide receiver corps this season is the best it has been in a very long time. McKenzie is a potential matchup wideout, while Sutton and Hamilton are matchup wide receivers and number three.
Possibilities are endless with this club and the depth on offense and wide receiver continue to amaze.