After the 2015 season, when the Denver Broncos sat on top of the world, the leader of the free world called Brandon McManus the, “heart and soul of [the Broncos] offensive fire power.” At the time, it was a slam of the offense, but also showed how valuable he had been to the Broncos Super Bowl run.

Name: Brandon McManus
Position: K
Height: 6’ 3”
Weight: 201
Age: 26
Experience: Fourth Season
College: Temple

Two season removed from that magical run, and McManus has taken a step back. His 8 missed field goals in 2017 were just a continuation of the offensive disappointment. He missed 5 in both 2016 and 2015, but the concern is where the extra misses came from. After two perfect seasons from inside 40 yards, McManus missed three. Two from inside 30 yards.

The Good

McManus has a strong leg. Kicking in Denver, he has the ability to make long field goals. He has connected on 11 of 19 fifty-plus yard field goals over the last three season. This also gives him the ability to eliminate kick returns. He should have no problem kicking the ball out of the back of the end zone on kickoffs. In 71 kickoffs, 45 resulted in touchbacks. The talent is there for McManus to be one of the best kickers in the NFL.

The Bad

Accuracy has been an issue his whole career. The misses from in close are game killers. If this continues, the Broncos offense could continue to struggle. In 2017 McManus missed too many close range field goals. With Denver struggling on offense all season, misses from close range are game killers.

Quotable

Through five games in 2017 McManus was 8 for 13. After the Broncos loss to the Giants, Vance Joseph threw his support behind his kicker.

“We’ll address it with him but sitting here right now, he’s our guy... Things happen from time to time. I haven’t changed my mind about how I feel about B-Mac. He’s fine.”

The show of support was rewarded as McManus was much better the rest of the season. However, in 2018 another tough stretch will bring his role on the team into question.

Status

McManus is the Denver Broncos kicker. Until further notice, this won’t change. As long as he can get back to making short range field goals, and as long as he continues to be accurate from distance, the Broncos will have one of the best kickers in the NFL.