Isaiah McKenzie

Isaiah McKenzie (born April 9, 1995) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia,[1] and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Isaiah McKenzie
refer to caption
McKenzie with the Bills in 2021
No. 6 – Indianapolis Colts
Position:Wide receiver,
return specialist
Personal information
Born: (1995-04-09) April 9, 1995
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:173 lb (78 kg)
Career information
High school:American Heritage School
(Plantation, Florida)
College:Georgia (2014–2016)
NFL Draft:2017 / Round: 5 / Pick: 172
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Receptions:141
Receiving yards:1,345
Rushing yards:230
Return yards:1,630
Total Touchdowns:16
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

McKenzie plays primarily at wide receiver and punt returner but has also seen playing time at the NFL level as a running back and cornerback.

College career

McKenzie's first two years with the Georgia Bulldogs saw him accumulate 190 receiving yards and 195 rushing yards,[2] as he was primarily used as a kick returner. After Kirby Smart replaced Mark Richt as head coach, McKenzie was more prominently featured in the Georgia passing game. He caught 44 receptions for 633 yards and 7 touchdowns as a junior, becoming the Bulldogs' top receiver. Leading into the 2017 NFL Draft, draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. compared McKenzie to Antonio Brown due to similarities in their kick-return abilities and athleticism.[3]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 7+1⁄2 in
(1.71 m)		 173 lb
(78 kg)		 28+7⁄8 in
(0.73 m)		 8+7⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		4.42 s1.52 s2.57 s4.15 s6.64 s36.0 in
(0.91 m)		10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)		11 reps
All values from NFL Combine[4][5][6]

Denver Broncos
McKenzie with Denver in 2017

McKenzie was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round, 172nd overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft.[7]

On September 11, 2017, in the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football, McKenzie returned three punt returns for 48 net yards in his NFL debut.[8] On September 24, against the Buffalo Bills, McKenzie recorded his first career rushing attempt, a four-yard carry.[9] He totaled four receptions for 29 yards on the season.[10]

On September 10, 2018, McKenzie was waived by the Broncos and was re-signed to the practice squad.[11] He was promoted to the active roster on October 25, 2018.[12] He was waived again on November 2, 2018.[13]

Buffalo Bills

On November 5, 2018, McKenzie was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills.[14]

2018

McKenzie was used as the primary kick returner, but also saw significant time on offense. He scored his first NFL touchdown, rushing 6 yards on a jet sweep, against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 25.[15] Against the New York Jets, he was used in the run game after LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory suffered injuries, rushing for 22 yards on four carries with another touchdown to go with 47 receiving yards in the 27–23 loss.[16] He had 18 receptions for 179 receiving yards to go along with 66 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on the season.[17]

2019
McKenzie in a game against the Washington Redskins in 2019

McKenzie's kick return role decreased after the Bills added free agent kick returner Andre Roberts, but he still found decent playing time on special teams and as a gadget player on offense. He caught 27 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown, in addition to rushing 8 times for 49 yards. McKenzie played a big role in helping the Bills defeat the Tennessee Titans in week 5, as his 46-yard reception helped set up the game-winning touchdown.[18]

For the Bills' final game of the 2019 season, against the Jets, he was pressed into service as a reserve cornerback, as the Bills were resting the starters and the backups suffered injuries.[19]

2020

On March 30, 2020, McKenzie re-signed with the Bills.[20]

On November 15, 2020, in a Week 10 game against the Arizona Cardinals, McKenzie threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Josh Allen on a trick play during the 32–30 loss. This was McKenzie's first career touchdown pass.[21][22] In the Bills' final game of the 2020 season against the Miami Dolphins, McKenzie had arguably his best game as a professional, catching six passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns.[23] He also returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown, his first career special teams score on his only punt return of the season.[24]

In the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs, McKenzie recorded one catch for a six-yard touchdown during the 38–24 loss.[25]

2021

On March 29, 2021, McKenzie signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the Bills.[26][27]

On August 26, 2021, McKenzie was fined $14,650 for violating the NFL's COVID-19 protocol.[28]

McKenzie became the primary kick returner in 2021, but was benched after fumbling a kickoff in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts.[29] Due to starting slot receiver Cole Beasley being diagnosed with COVID-19, McKenzie was utilized more in a week 16 game against the New England Patriots. He caught 11 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown as the Bills beat the Patriots 33–21.[30]

2022

On March 13, 2022, McKenzie signed a two year extension with the Buffalo Bills.[31] McKenzie had a hot start to the season as the Bills' primary slot receiver with Beasley's departure from the team, catching 17 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns within the first six games.[32] He was also the leading receiver for the Bills during a Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions.[33] He finished the season with a career high of 42 receptions, 423 yards, and four touchdowns.[34]

On March 17, 2023, McKenzie was released by the Bills.[35]

Indianapolis Colts

On March 22, 2023, McKenzie signed with the Indianapolis Colts.[36]

NFL career statistics
Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season
Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Returning Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsY/RLngTDAttYdsY/ALngTDRetYdsY/RLngTDFumLost
2017DEN 1104297.3140144.040242339.744063
2018DEN 1000—0000—002136.511000
BUF 71181799.923010666.61522632412.533021
2019BUF 158272549.44618496.116046917.324000
2020BUF 167302829.44651090.9140311638.7841[lower-alpha 1]00
2021BUF 152201788.92819475.21014373117.075021
2022BUF 1584242310.13049556.1181614424.042000
Career80261411,3459.54611472304.91841081,63015.1841105

Postseason
Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Returning Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsY/RLngTDAttYdsY/ALngTDRetYdsY/RLngTDFumLost
2019BUF 104235.810000—0000—0000
2020BUF 303144.771294.55000—0000
2021BUF 2144812.01906447.315055711.422000
2022BUF 112105.080000.00000—0000
Career7213957.31918536.615055711.422000

Business ventures

In 2020, McKenzie and his friends Mel Rodriguez and Chase McKenzie opened LaTraila Barbecue, a restaurant in Miami Lakes, Florida.[38]

Notes
  1. Led the league in punts returned (1).[37]

References
  1. Weiszer, Marc (April 26, 2017). "Isaiah McKenzie top prospect in shallow UGA NFL draft pool". Online Athens. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  2. "Isaiah McKenzie Stats – Georgia". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  3. Butt, Jason (May 1, 2017). "Could Isaiah McKenzie be the next Antonio Brown? An ESPN analyst thinks so". The Macon Telegraph. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  4. "Isaiah McKenzie Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  5. "2017 Draft Scout Isaiah McKenzie, Georgia NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  6. "Isaiah McKenzie 2017 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  7. Swanson, Ben (April 29, 2017). "Broncos trade up in fifth round, select WR Isaiah McKenzie". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  8. "Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 11th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  9. "Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills – September 24th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  10. "Isaiah McKenzie 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  11. DiLalla, Aric (September 10, 2018). "Broncos waive Isaiah McKenzie, make pair of practice-squad moves". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  12. DiLalla, Aric (October 25, 2018). "Broncos promote WR Isaiah McKenzie to active roster". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  13. DiLalla, Aric (November 2, 2018). "Broncos activate S Su'a Cravens from IR, promote WR River Cracraft to active roster". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  14. Brown, Chris (November 5, 2018). "Bills awarded claim for receiver/returner Isaiah McKenzie". BuffaloBills.com.
  15. Maiorana, Sal (November 28, 2018). "Bills' offense has been rejuvenated by young WRs Foster, McKenzie". Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  16. "Bills' Isaiah McKenzie: Shows off rushing skills". RotoWire. CBS Sports. December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  17. "Isaiah McKenzie 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  18. Fetes, Daniel (October 11, 2019). "Ten most important plays so far this Bills season - BuffaloPlus.com". WHAM. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  19. Pollock, Chuck (December 29, 2019). "Bills give Alexander the spotlight in likely final home game". Olean Times Herald. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  20. Brown, Chris (March 24, 2020). "Isaiah McKenzie agrees to terms with Bills". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  21. "Watch this: Bills' Josh Allen catches touchdown pass from Isaiah McKenzie". The Buffalo News. November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  22. "Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals – November 15th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  23. Parrino, Matt (January 3, 2021). "Isaiah McKenzie predicted punt return TD to Josh Allen in breakout game". syracuse. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  24. Louis-Jacques, Marcel (January 3, 2021). "Isaiah McKenzie's monster first half gives Bills big lead against Dolphins". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  25. "AFC Championship – Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – January 24th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  26. Bove, Matt (March 23, 2021). "Bills re-sign free agent WR Isaiah McKenzie". www.wkbw.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  27. "2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – March". NFL.com. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  28. Louis-Jacques, Marcel (August 26, 2021). "Buffalo Bills receivers Isaiah McKenzie, Cole Beasley fined for COVID-19 protocol violations". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  29. Gelber, Brad (November 26, 2021). "Bills returner Isaiah McKenzie handles benching well in win over Saints". Bills Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  30. Talbot, Ryan (December 26, 2021). "Isaiah McKenzie, aggressive Bills offense take back 1st in AFC East in 33-21 win over Patriots (report card)". syracuse. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  31. Glab, Maddy (March 13, 2022). "Bills agree to terms with wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  32. D'Abate, Mike (October 21, 2022). "Buffalo Bills WR Isaiah McKenzie: A Slot Payout". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  33. "Bills' Isaiah McKenzie: Leading receiver in Thursday's win". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  34. "NFL news roundup: Latest league updates from Friday, March 17". NFL.com. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  35. Alper, Josh (March 17, 2023). "Bills release Isaiah McKenzie". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  36. Stankevitz, JJ (March 22, 2023). "Colts sign free agent WR Isaiah McKenzie". Colts.com. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  37. "2020 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  38. Prusack, Heather (August 1, 2020). "Bills WR Isaiah McKenzie living out his dream in the food industry". News 4 Buffalo. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
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