Many new faces and things are coming to the Denver Broncos this season as the NFL experiences a significant change. Denver Broncos and Head Coach Sean Payton this season, and the NFL is undergoing a serious change as well.
The league is introducing new kickoff regulations to decrease injuries on those plays. Payton believes this could lead to more return touchdowns.
“‘Significant’ doesn't fully capture the impact of the rule change,” Payton told reporters on May 11. He noted the excitement among teams as they consider the possible strategies and differences from the previous year.
“We anticipate double-digit touchdown returns with more plays, aligning with the rule's intention,
The NFL saw four kickoffs returned for touchdowns last season.
Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jrhad one of them. It will be interesting to see if the Broncos decide to utilize him in a similar role this coming season given Payton previously said the 2023 second-round pick would have a larger role on offense.
Mims had 377 yards and one touchdown on 22 receptions last season. But he made the Pro Bowl as a return man.
The Broncos also traded Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns, freeing up a significant snap share.
Broncos HC Sean Payton Details How Kickoff Rule Change Will Impact Personnel Decisions
GettyMarvin Mims Jr. #19 of the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos also selected a pair of wide receivers in the 2024 draft. The second of the two – 6-foot-4 Devaughn Vele – returned kicks for one season in college at Utah. Payton described how he believed the new rules change could impact the personnel sent out for returns.
“The two deep backs are going to have to have good ball skills and a little bit of a shortstop, third baseman [in them], if you will, because we’re not just going to get these easy-to-catch, high kicks anymore,” Payton said. “We’re going to get these shots in the gaps, if you will. And if it gets through our group and into the endzone, we’re on the 20-yard line. If it goes out of bounds, obviously, we’re on the 40 or if it’s short – so I think it creates a unique skill set for the returners.
“I do think the coverage and blocking units will get a little bit bigger because we’re reducing the amount of space we’re running in.
The Broncos will have to adapt to the change while other teams do the same.
Broncos Rookie Pass-Catcher Flashing Early
GettyWide receiver Devaughn Vele #81 of the Denver Broncos.
Vele has shown promise early on in the offseason program. He could have a role earlier than expected, especially for a seventh-round pick.
“There’s certain players that we talk about that we know are high-traffic players. Those are like forwards in basketball they’re going to be in. And there’s certain players that are going to be speed outside,” Payton said of Vele. “And he’s that player that’s proven at the college level he’s comfortable inside these numbers. Not to say he can’t play outside the numbers.
“We prefer to use a good comparison, but there are certain qualities we notice in him that I believe Tim Patrick has in terms of their size and where they can play. I'm specifically referring to qualities. However, he possesses strong natural instincts and excellent ball skills.”
This might result in Mims and Patrick having a smaller role on offense.
