Ahead of Broncos training camp, the morning radio crew at Mile High Sports tabbed third-round draft pick Carlos Henderson as the rookie who will have the greatest impact for Denver in 2017. Through the first few days of camp, Henderson has shown he has a ways to go to fulfill those expectations. His draft counterpart Isaiah McKenzie, meanwhile, has looked strong in a special teams role.

A third-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech, Henderson has struggled in the early going. He entered the first day of full pads on Sunday still taking reps with the third team. According to head coach Vance Joseph, it may be a matter of the 22-year-old pressing a bit too much.

“He’s a rookie. He’s trying hard. He wants to be a good player. He’s trying hard. He wants to help us on offense. He’s trying a little too hard right now, but he’ll be fine. It’s early.”

In college, Henderson was a versatile weapon in multiple phases.

As a wide receiver, he started 28-of-36 games played in three seasons at Louisiana Tech, totaling 147 receptions for 2,878 yards (19.6 avg.) with 28 touchdowns. On special teams, he returned 79 kickoffs for 2,094 yards (26.5 avg.) with three touchdowns.

Special teams is where McKenzie has really shined through the first few days of camp, emerging as a possible leader in the punt return competition.

While at the University of Georgia, McKenzie returned 59 punts for 692 yards (11.7 avg.) with five touchdowns in addition to returning 17 kickoffs for 375 yards (22.1 avg.) with one touchdown on special teams.

When asked if there’s a potential to see him in the kick return game, Joseph said McKenzie’s best fit is on the punt unit.

“He’s more of a punt returner,” Joseph said. “Your kick returner is a bigger guy in my opinion. That’s a physical, violent play. I wouldn’t expose him to that if we didn’t have to. Cody Latimer and Carlos Henderson; that’s the body type you want for that position. I wouldn’t put Isaiah in that role if we didn’t have to. That’s a physical role. A physically contacted role.”

McKenzie is also seeing time in the slot with the second-team unit. Joseph has been extremely impressed with the former Bulldog in every role.

“Isaiah has been the same guy since he’s gotten here. He is a very mature rookie. Every challenge that we’ve given Isaiah, he has taken it and dominated it. He is obviously a fabulous returner. He’s a big time slot player. He’s tough. He has not changed. What we saw on tape and what he’s given us since he’s been here, been the same,” Joseph said.

It’s still early, but McKenzie is doing all the right things to secure a spot on the roster and fill an important role with this team.

The good news for Henderson and his supporters? He seemed to have a bounce-back day on Sunday, even beating All-Pro cornerback Aqib Talib on a route.

The most important thing for everyone, including the players themselves, is that it’s still early in camp. These rookies are still learning the ropes and finding their roles.