Editor’s note: Last of an eight-part series breaking down the Broncos’ roster as they “reboot” under new coach Vance Joseph.
Broncos fans braced for a disaster every time Jordan Norwood dropped back to field a punt last season. Norwood muffed two punts that contributed to a devastating overtime loss to Kansas City in November.
Denver defended return units well, outside of Tyreek Hill’s 86-yard free kick touchdown return in that same game against Kansas City, but its struggling punt return game defined the season. This offseason, the Broncos are expected to make it a priority to find a talented player in the draft or free agency to own the return game.
Denver’s kicking game appears to be solid for the foreseeable future with Brandon McManus and punter Riley Dixon being young, successful options. The Broncos hope to create a little bit of Kansas City’s special teams magic by adding Brock Olivo, a former Chiefs special teams assistant, as their special teams coordinator.
A few free agent decisions will determine how much turnover the Broncos will have on special teams.
McManus, 25, is a restricted free agent. He’s made more than 85 percent of his field goals over the past two seasons. The Broncos are expected to tender an offer or secure a long-term deal with McManus. Two other core special teams players, Kayvon Webster and Dekoda Watson, are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents. Norwood is also a free agent.
Webster, the Broncos special teams captain, may chase a more lucrative contract with a team that’ll give him a bigger defensive role than what he’ll get in Denver. The Broncos can use his special teams prowess if he’s willing to return on a contract that works for both sides. Watson is also worth re-signing.
Regardless of who returns, the Broncos need to add at least one or two core contributors to their special teams units, most likely through the draft.
Dixon, a 2016 seventh-round pick, appears to be the Broncos punter of the future. Will Parks, Justin Simmons and fullback Andy Janovich are also key special teams contributors from that 2016 draft.
Kalif Raymond, an undrafted free agent, showed explosion and promise in his four games replacing Norwood as the primary returner. Raymond also fumbled a punt return. He’ll likely compete for the role again in 2017.
In the draft, the high-impact players in the return game are Michigan safety/linebacker Jabril Peppers, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey, USC cornerback Adoree Jackson, Texas A&M safety Justin Evans and North Carolina receiver Ryan Switzer. Peppers, McCaffrey, Jackson and Evans all are likely to be selected in the first two rounds.
Switzer, along with San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey, could be a diminutive middle- to late-round option. Teams will hope Switzer can be a player who does some of the things that Patriots receiver Julian Edelman does.
If the Broncos do seek a free-agent returner, Carolina’s Ted Ginn may make sense. Ginn is 31 but he’s had seven career punt- and kick-return touchdowns. He would also provide a deep threat on offense.
The Broncos have much bigger needs that filling holes on their special teams, but it’s an area they can’t ignore.
