The Denver Broncos are in the middle of shaking things up on special teams, and while they have some key pieces locked in, there’s still a big question mark hanging over the punter position for 2025. With new special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi now leading the charge, the team already has their placekicker locked in with Wil Lutz and recently re-signed long snapper Mitchell Fraboni. But the search for a new punter? That’s still very much in progress.
A Swing and a Miss: Losing Out on Dixon and Anger
The Broncos made an effort to keep in-house punter Riley Dixon, but negotiations ultimately fell short. Dixon, instead, packed his bags for Florida, signing a two-year, $6 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That left Denver scrambling to find a replacement.
Their first target? Bryan Anger. The Broncos aggressively pursued the veteran punter, but he ultimately chose to stay put with the Dallas Cowboys, signing a two-year, $6.4 million contract. According to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis, Denver “went hard” after Anger, but just couldn’t close the deal.
So now the big question: Where do the Broncos go from here?
Who’s Left in the Punter Pool?
With Dixon and Anger off the market, the Broncos are now looking at their remaining options. One of the most intriguing names is Ryan Stonehouse, who just became available after the Tennessee Titans chose not to tender him. Tennessee had initially brought in Johnny Hekker on a one-year deal after the Carolina Panthers picked up Sam Martin and let Hekker walk.
For Denver fans, Stonehouse might be a familiar name. The 25-year-old punter played his college ball at Colorado State University and has since developed into one of the more notable free-agent punters available.
Other Options on the Market
If the Broncos want a more experienced option, they could look at veteran punters like Michael Palardy (32) or Pat O’Donnell (34). However, both would be short-term solutions rather than long-term fixtures at the position. Another interesting possibility is Alabama’s James Burnip, the top punter prospect in this year’s NFL draft. If Denver decides to go young and develop a player, Burnip could be a solid pick.
The Broncos might also consider dipping into the United Football League (UFL) for talent. After all, they successfully found long snapper Mitchell Fraboni in the USFL back in 2022. With the UFL season wrapping up in June, Denver could take a look at some standouts from that league and bring in multiple punters to compete for the job during training camp.
A Bigger Picture Move: Adding Trent Sherfield
While the punter search continues, the Broncos haven’t been idle on special teams. They recently bolstered their unit by signing wide receiver Trent Sherfield to a two-year deal. Sherfield is expected to be a key contributor on special teams, filling the void left after cornerback Tremon Smith departed for the Houston Texans in free agency.
Sherfield’s addition is significant because he brings a strong presence to both the coverage and return teams. His experience in the NFL makes him a valuable asset, especially as Denver looks to improve in all phases of special teams under Rizzi’s leadership.
What’s Next for Denver?
The search for a punter isn’t over yet, and Broncos fans should expect the team to take a multi-pronged approach. Whether they land a free agent, take a chance in the draft, or scout the UFL for hidden gems, Denver is likely to bring in multiple options for a training camp showdown. After all, competition breeds success, and that’s exactly what Rizzi and the coaching staff are aiming for.
As free agency continues and the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on the Broncos to see how they finalize their special teams unit. One thing’s for sure—this is a team that isn’t afraid to be aggressive when it comes to filling key roles.
Stay tuned for more updates on Broncos Wire as the team continues to shape its roster for the upcoming season!
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