When the Broncos settled on rookie punter Riley Dixon last week, cutting veteran Britton Colquitt near the NFL roster deadline, the team saved about $2.8 million. It also committed to patience.
Dixon struggled in Denver’s final preseason game, averaging only 37.4 yards on five punts. And he muffed an 18-yarder in the first half. He did boom a 56-yarder in the third preseason game, against Los Angeles.
The Broncos, though, are willing wait for the 23-year-old, seventh-round draft pick to improve.
“What’s a fair learning curve for any young player in the league? I don’t think it’s different for a punter or kicker,” Broncos special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis said.