Denver Broncos: Keep an eye on Special Teams in 2018

The Denver Broncos’ special teams unit could end up being significantly better than 2017.

During the 2017 season, the thought of a punt return was a scary one for the Denver Broncos. The unit struggled, coughing up the ball plenty of times, including six fumbles by then-rookie Isaiah McKenzie.

The Broncos expect that number to be lowered significantly. So do I.

In limited action this preseason, McKenzie looked a lot more comfortable than he did as a rookie.

That is to be expected.

In Saturday night’s matchup with the Chicago Bears, McKenzie had two opportunities as the punt returner. He gained 35 yards without fumbling the ball.

That gives me confidence that he has gotten over the rookie jitters and will be able to make a big contribution to the special teams unit in 2018. It looks like he just needed to get his rookie season out of the way.

Now he has, and he should be able to do a lot of damage to opposing special teams units.

Denver currently has undrafted rookie running back Phillip Lindsay as the top kick returner. In Saturday’s game, he returned just one kick for twelve yards. Not great, but he does show promise.

Lindsay is really fast, and that’s huge in the National Football League.

Lindsay is buried on the depth chart at running back. He is the fifth running back right now. Of course, that’s bound to change. For now, though, he will have to do all he can to contribute and make big plays on special teams.

There’s no doubt in my mind that he makes this team.

At punt returner, River Cracraft is listed number two behind McKenzie. He, too, will have a shot at impressing the Broncos.

Against Chicago, he did return one punt for twelve yards. If he’s going to make the team, it will be at the expense of Tim Patrick, who has done a phenomenal job for the Broncos in training camp, as well as in limited game action.

On the depth chart at kick returner, Cracraft is behind Lindsay, as well as cornerback Brendan Langley.

A big loss for the Broncos has been receiver Jordan Taylor, who did a nice job in the punt returner role. In ten games, Taylor returned eleven punts for 103 yards. He looked to be the best of the group in 2017.

Now it is up to younger players to step up and make big plays; plays that Taylor would potentially have made if he wasn’t recovering from two hip surgeries.

I strongly believe that both return units, kick return and punt return, will do great things for the Broncos in 2018.

With McKenzie’s confidence boost and Lindsay’s speed, these units have the potential to be one of the top units in the entire league.