Finding Broncos: Five Safeties to Reinforce Depth

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL Draft with a group of safeties that can improve the depth.

The Denver Broncos were spenders during the first wave of Free Agency, but they still need help at a few spots. One of them is at the safety position, where they need someone who can potentially start next to Justin Simmons but, at the very least, provide competition for Caden Sterns. There has been promise shown from Sterns, but he has played 585 snaps on defense over his two seasons in the NFL, and unfortunately, there hasn't been enough to hand him the starting job. 

Anthony Johnson Jr | S | Iowa State

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Pros

• Over 3,100 snaps played, with over 600 plays in the last four seasons. 
• Leadership qualities are there, and you can see it on tape. 
• Has good range with good athleticism. 
• Brings it physically as a tackler.
• Excellent instincts in coverage. 

Cons

• Missed 25 tackles in the last two seasons and 46 in his career. 
• Limited production securing interceptions with only two in his career. 
• Broke up 18 passes and want to see the ball skills to turn them into interceptions. 
• Despite his experience, he doesn't play the run well and struggles to find his fit. 
• Has issues with balance 

Fit with Broncos

Johnson has good range and would work as a two-high safety while providing some versatility to work with. There will need to be a lot of development with his run fills, which could come with working under Justin Simmons. Nevertheless, Johnson would be a fine pick to help their depth at the position and compete with P.J. Locke for the third safety spot. 

Gervarrius Owens | S | Houston

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Pros

• Experience is there, with almost 2,400 snaps played in four years. 
• Has great range to be a single high safety.
• Quickly to trigger downhill against the run. 
• Can drop down and play the nickel, providing good versatility. 
• He plays physical and will bring it as a tackler.
• Has good anticipation in coverage and good instincts. 

Cons

• High rate of missed tackles, with 36 total in career and 16 in 2022. 
• Missed tackles in the open field were a killer for the defense. 
• Can bite on run fakes to open up deep shots. 
• The processor isn't always up to speed and can be late with his reactions. 
• He doesn't always come to balance as a tackler, which leads to those missed tackles. 

Fit with Broncos

The range with Owens is excellent and can open things up with how Vance Joseph can use Caden Sterns and Justin Simmons. In addition, Owens has good ball skills to add more potential for defense takeaways. He would be a natural fit as the third safety and can contribute to special teams. 

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Ja'Von Hicks | S | Cincinnati

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Pros

• Played over 3,000 snaps in college. 
• Good ball production with 10 interceptions and 12 passes broken up. 
• Versatile safety that can play a single-high, two-high, in the nickel, and even in the box. 
• Excellent frame with long arms to challenge through the bodies of receivers. 
• He tracks the ball exceptionally well and has the range and athleticism to get into position to make a play. 

Cons

• Missed 25 tackles in each of the last two seasons. 
• Allowed 11 touchdowns in coverage, with three in each of the last two seasons. 
• Needs to do better getting off blocks to work as a run defender. 
• Angles are consistently poor, especially when triggering farther away from the line to attack the run. 
• He doesn't mirror the receiver quite well when in the slot and working in man-coverage. 

Fit with Broncos

Hicks has plenty of ball production and range to transition and be of value in the NFL. However, his boom-or-bust style in coverage could scare some teams away, as well as his issues when working as a run defender. As a later-round or even undrafted free agent option, Hicks has the ball skills that are worth taking a shot on. 

Chamarri Conner | S | Virginia Tech

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

• Extremely versatile defender capable of playing multiple safety roles and in the nickel and boundary. 
• Excellent size and length. 
• He has played over 3,000 snaps in college with consistent production. 
• Good production when used as a blitzer. 
• He tested out exceptionally well at the Combine. 
• He keeps his eyes balanced between the receiver and the quarterback. 
• He uses his size and length to attack the catch point. 

Cons

• Does have some hit-or-miss moments in coverage when being aggressive. 
• Doesn't have the best speed.
• A lot of risks with his angles. 
• He missed 59 tackles in career, with 31 in the last two seasons. 

Fit with Broncos

Conner is a versatile defensive back that can play all over in the secondary. He had a good week at the Senior Bowl, where he showed off that versatility. There is a great fit with Conner in Vance Joseph's scheme, especially with the versatility he brings to the defense. 

Jason Taylor II | S | Oklahoma State

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Pros

• Has a good athletic profile with a Relative Athletic Score of 9.23. 
• He played over 1,600 snaps in the last two seasons. 
• Solid production when used as a blitzer in 2021, picking up two sacks and 12 pressures on 21 blitzes. 
• He picked up eight career interceptions, all in the last two seasons. 
• He plays with plenty of power and can work as an extra linebacker in the box. 
• He is a physical tackler who will bring the force into his attempts. 

Cons

• Missed 17 tackles in 2022. 
• Five touchdowns have been allowed in the last two seasons. 
• Plenty of reps with simple mistakes that lead to big plays for the offense. 
• He doesn't leverage when in coverage or with his angles. 
• He doesn't pursue the tackle to the contact point and often sits and waits. 
• He doesn't have the best range, which could limit his role in the NFL. 

Fit with Broncos

Taylor plays better closer to the line of scrimmage, which helps limit mental mistakes. Taylor isn't a bad fit if the Broncos are looking for a safety that can drop into the box. He is a physical tackler, brings force into his tackles, and is more than willing as a run defender. 

There are some options at safety that can provide depth at the position and even compete for a starting job. However, with these five options, the starting job would still likely go to Caden Sterns, as these prospects will need time to adjust to the NFL and are better suited for a third safety spot and special teams player. 

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