Finding Broncos: Five Specialists for Competition

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL Draft with a group of specialists to bring additional competition.

While Denver Broncos brought in a new punter in Riley Dixon, they don't have any competition for Dixon or Brandon McManus. With the Broncos only having five draft picks, they shouldn't look to draft a specialist, but they need to bring in competition. One way they can do that is with the help of an undrafted free agent. 

Adam Korsak | P | Rutgers

© Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• He has good touch when dealing with a shorter field. 
• His punt setup has good timing, with only one blocked punt. 
• 153 of his 348 punts landed inside the 20. 
• He has flashed the ability to boom punts. 
• Only seven of his punts bounced into the endzone in his career. 

Cons

• His career average was 43.9 yards per punt on 348 punts. 
• There isn't a great hang time that has to improve for the NFL. 
• He doesn't have the power to flip the field consistently. 

Fit with Broncos

If the Broncos want to bring in a consistent punter for additional competition, then Korsak would be a good choice. Punting at altitude could help his average, and he has good touch and placement on his punts. 

Jake Moody | K | Michigan

© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pros

• He made 52 of 60 field goals in the last two seasons.
• There is reliability in making his kicks under the 50-yard mark.  
• He made multiple big-time kicks late in games. 
• Every extra point he attempted was good. 

Cons

• He went 4 of 10 beyond the 50 mark. 
• He only has two years of priority kicking duties. 
• His career field goal percentage is 82.1%. 

Fit with Broncos

While he doesn't have the strongest leg, Moody has reliability on shorter kicks. If the Broncos believe they can move the ball consistently on offense, then Moody is good competition for McManus. 

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B.T. Potter | K | Clemson

© Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Pros

• He made all but one extra point in his career. 
• He can handle kickoff duties. 
• He only missed one field goal under 30 yards. 

Cons

• His career field goal mark is 75.3%. 
• His accuracy and success dropped beyond 30 yards. 
• He doesn't have a strong leg. 

Fit with Broncos

Potter doesn't have a great leg and struggled beyond 30 yards. Even with a good offense that can be consistent with moving the ball, you need a bigger leg than that. 

Paxton Brooks | P | Tennessee

© Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• He has the experience and ability to handle kickoff duties. 
• He has good hangtime consistently on his punts. 
• Of his 164 punts, 68 fell inside the 20, with 10 touchbacks. 
• He only had one punt blocked. 

Cons

• He doesn't have the leg to flip the field. 
• His career punting average was only 42 yards. 
• His process can be too mechanical and puts his timing back. 

Fit with Broncos

The fit between Brooks and the Broncos depends on Sean Payton's confidence in his offense. If they can't generate yards on drives consistently, Brooks isn't the guy. However, if the confidence is always to get at least a couple of first downs, then Brooks can be the guy to pin teams back. 

Jack Podlesny | K | Georgia

© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• He was trusted and reliable over three years in Georgia. 
• He made all but three kicks under the 40 mark. 
• He is consistent with kickoffs and puts a good time under his kicks. 

Cons

• His reliably fades away beyond the 40-yard mark. 
• Sometimes he can be slow with his process to get the kick-off. 
• There are a few missed field goals in big-time moments. 

Fit with Broncos

The leg power isn't great, but the reliability under 40 yards could be enticing. However, teams may look for more consistency on longer distances. The fit with the Broncos all depends on the confidence in the offense. 

Whatever way the Broncos go, they have to bring additional competition. Riley Dixon wasn't significantly better than what the Broncos had last year, and McManus has had consistent issues. Competition is needed, and may the best player win. 

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