If there is a unit that best represents the type of season that the Denver Broncos had in 2016, it might be the special teams. While they were excellent in certain aspects, their struggles in other areas made it very difficult for them to win games. We see a perfect example of this even in the Broncos special teams coverage.
Denver allowed just 20.2 yards per kickoff return, ranking them seventh in the NFL, yet we all remember the 86-yard kickoff return they allowed in Week 12. Tyreek Hill gave the Kansas City Chiefs a 9-0 lead in the first half, and the Broncos suffered a crushing divisional loss.
The Denver Broncos special teams had some huge plays in the 2016 season, here are the individual grades for the specialists.
Brandon McManus, K
It seems like a long time ago that the Broncos were releasing McManus, and signing veteran Connor Barth to handle the kicking duties. In 2014, after missing a few routine kicks, Denver actually cut McManu.s They would bring him back to handle the kickoff duties, and he would eventually win the job back from Barth.
Since then, McManus has proven that he is more than capable of doing the job. In 2016, he went 29 for 34 on field goals, including three makes of over 50 yards. He was also 32 for 33 on the now-longer NFL extra points. His kickoffs are regularly deep and unreturnable. The Broncos should be set at kicker for a few years.
Final grade: A-
Riley Dixon, P
The Broncos used their final pick in the 2016 NFL Draft on a punter to replace veteran Britton Colquitt. All Dixon did was post the best net average for a first-year punter in NFL history.
Dixon punted 89 times for a 45.7-yard average. More importantly, he pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line 28 different times. Those punts are a true weapon as they force opponents to go even further against the Broncos’ Orange Crush defense. Riley Dixon finished out the Broncos 2016 NFL Draft on a very strong note.
Final grade: A+
Kalif Raymond, PR/KR
It was a roller coaster year, for the young wide receiver out of Holy Cross. After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft, Raymond was signed to a free agent contract by the defending Super Bowl champions. He showed some promise in the preseason, as a kick returner that ran straight ahead.
Prior to the season, he was cut, but then re-signed to the Broncos’ practice squad. Raymond would be promoted to the active roster prior to Week 13. Over the next four games, he returned 11 punts for 111 yards, six kickoffs for 137 yards, and he provided the Broncos return game with some spark. He did fumble twice, and was eventually benched in favor of Jordan Norwood. He will have another opportunity to make the roster this offseason.
Final grade: D
Jordan Norwood, PR
After making a pivotal play in Super Bowl 50 with a 61-yard punt return, Norwood struggled mightily in 2016. The eight-year veteran returned three kickoffs for 65 yards, and had 25 punt returns for an 8.2 yards per return average. That ranks him 13th in the NFL in punt return average.
The problem is that Norwood had a very difficult time holding onto the football. He had four fumbles in two weeks, and seemed to completely lose his confidence late in the season. Norwood will have to battle to keep his current position.
Final grade: D-
Cody Latimer, KR
Latimer didn’t make much of an impact in the Broncos offense this year, and as a kickoff returner he didn’t get many opportunities. With NFL kickers booming the ball out of the end zone on nearly every kick, Latimer returned just eight kicks. He did average 25 yards per return, which is pretty solid, but the Broncos need to get more from their 2nd round draft pick from 2014.
Final grade: C+
Casey Kreiter, LS
Final grade: A-