Special teams was the focus in outside free agent help this offseason from the Denver Broncos. The hope is to have one of the best special teams units in the NFL and Tycen Anderson figures to lead the effort in 2026. That got me thinking: who was the greatest non-returner special teamer in franchise history? It’s got to be Keith Burns, right? I’ll share my thoughts on that at the end of the recap.
Broncos daily recap
New Broncos safety aims to be best special teams player in the NFL
Tycen Anderson isn’t just here to fill a roster spot — he’s setting his sights on being the best special teams player in the league. The former Bengal earned PFF special teams grades of 83.4, 82.6, and 88.7 over the last three seasons while logging 83% of Cincinnati’s special teams snaps in 2025. Anderson’s defensive experience is limited, but his mindset and production on coverage and return units suggest Denver got a player with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove in year four.Broncos will have a pre-draft top-30 visit with Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers
The tight end train keeps rolling. Denver is bringing in Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers for a top-30 visit after already meeting with him at the Combine — that’s two face-to-face meetings now for the No. 2 tight end in this class behind Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq. Stowers posted 111 catches for 1,407 yards and nine touchdowns over his final two college seasons, ran a 4.51 at 239 pounds, and earned the highest Relative Athletic Score among tight ends at the Combine. With the first-round pick gone to Miami in the Waddle trade, Stowers could be in play at No. 62.Proposed NFL rule changes for 2026
The NFL Competition Committee has put five rule proposals on the table ahead of next week’s Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, where 24 of 32 owners need to approve any change. The headliners: allowing onside kicks at any point in the game (not just when trailing), modifying kickoff alignment for the receiving team, and giving league personnel the ability to consult with officials on disqualification calls. Cleveland also submitted a proposal to allow draft pick trades up to five years into the future — which would have some fascinating implications for teams like Denver that just moved major capital for Waddle.
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Broncos history
Who was the best non-returner special teamer in franchise history?
With Tycen Anderson wanting to be the best special teamer in the NFL, it made me think about who was the greatest special teamer in Broncos’ history. I had to cut out returners, because those splash play, big play ability players would take away from what I’m hoping to discuss for this one.
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For me, I’m all in on Keith Burns.
It could be my age, but Keith Burns was prime special team stud back in the late 90s and 2000s.
He played 13 years in the NFL from 1994-2006 and all but one season with Denver. He would only amass 15-30 tackles a year, but that would often be almost entirely on special teams. When I think of great special teamers, I will always think Keith Burns.
Who else should be in the mix for greatest special teamer in team history?
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