2021 Broncos' Season, Special Teams

 


The NFL Draft is over, so it's time to re-visit the Broncos' position groups and see where the team is heading into the season. Today I'm concluding with Special Teams.

This unit is locked in a lot of ways. The Broncos made some moves this off-season, leaving Brandon McManus as the lone kicker, Sam Martin as the lone Punter and Jacob Bobenmoyer as the lone Long Snapper. Those three should make it as specialists barring some kind of meltdown in camp.

So, short post today, right? Well, yes and no. The specialists feel pretty locked in, but what about the return game. Here's where it gets a bit interesting.

Special Teams can be a gateway to bubble players making the roster. One of those is Diontae Spencer, who is a WR5-7 on the team, but has earned his spot the past few seasons as the primary returner. As the crush of talent at receiver and the secondary becomes more serious, those spots can be valuable if someone else can pick up that role. Heading into Camp, Spencer is still listed as the returner, and might be the best option at that position, but keeping him might not be the best option for the Broncos.

I'm curious if a receiver like K.J. Hamler could contribute in that way. Or maybe a fringe receiver like rookies Seth Williams and Warren Jackson, or second-year man Tyrie Cleveland can earn a spot as a returner. How about a corner like Bryce Callahan solidifying his position by taking that role? Or a corner fighting for a spot like rookie Kary Vincent possibly making the team because he can return punts, too.

Training Camp was sorely missed in 2020, as were pre-season games. I'll be curious to see if someone can make a splash in the return game, or do well enough for the Broncos to alter their roster plans in 2021.

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