Finding Broncos: Two Big Ten Safeties

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL Draft with a pair of Big Ten safeties.

The Denver Broncos should be looking for more help at the safety position. They have Justin Simmons, but next to him is still up in the air. Caden Sterns missed most of the 2022 season, and Kareem Jackson is a free agent. While this isn't a great safety class, some options might be there for the Broncos in the third round to pair with Simmons well. 

Sydney Brown | S | Illinois

Pros

• Fits the mold of a prototypical two-high safety. 
• Plenty of experience with over 3,100 snaps. 
• Great ball production in college, ending with six interceptions. 
• Great straight-line speed. 
• Quick to trigger downhill against the run. 
• Versatile in scheme and role, what the ability to drop down as the nickel. 
• Quick to find his way through the holes to get to the ball in run defense. 
• Played all over the defense at Illinois, with over 500 career snaps in the box, as a safety, and in the slot. 
• Plays extremely physical in all phases. 
• Attacks the hands at the catch point. 
• Has good instincts and awareness. 
• Good reactionary and recovery athleticism. 

Cons

• Not overly fluid with his change of direction. 
• Has to secure tackles better, with 70 missed tackles in five years and 30 over the last two years. 
• Needs better balance with his tackling attempts to cut back on the missed tackles. 
• Will bite too often on fakes when in man coverage. 
• The tackling technique needs to be cleaned up, and he could consistently bring more force into his tackles. 
• The length is fine but doesn't reflect in his tackling attempts. 

Overview

Brown is a versatile safety that can move around the defense and play multiple roles. His tackling needs to be cleaned up, and his change of direction isn't ideal. He does have solid range to play a two-high safety role but isn't ideal for a single-high role. You can trust Brown in coverage to be in the right place and make a calculated play for the ball. 

Fit with Broncos

Versatility is huge in the NFL, especially with safeties. Vance Joseph has worked with some highly versatile safeties in the past, and Brown would make a lot of sense for what he does on defense. If Brown didn't win the starting job next to Justin Simmons, he is a great prospect to add competition with Caden Sterns while providing special teams ability. 

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Ji'Ayir Brown | S | Penn State

Pros

• Played 1,400 snaps the last two seasons with 10 interceptions. 
• Quick to trigger and attack the catch point. 
• Excellent awareness and instincts in coverage. 
• The motor runs hot and never slows in the game. 
• Triggers quickly downhill to attack the run game. 
• Plays physical. 
• Has more than enough speed and agility, with excellent closing burst. 
• Excellent burst shows in all phases. 
• Showed good timing when working as a blitzer. 
• Keeps it clean with only five penalties in his career. 

Cons

• There are a lot of wasted steps and movement. 
• Missed 24 tackles in the last two seasons. 
• Easy to bait with the quarterbacks' eyes. 
• Takes some bad angles when coming downhill against the run. 
• Will guess at times in coverage and get caught. 
• Bad habit of being overzealous to make a play. 
• Needs to meet the ball carrier with better balance and squared. 
• Takes some wasted steps in his change of direction. 
• Could do with being a little looser in the hips. 

Overview

Ji'Ayir Brown has great ball skills and plenty of production over the last two seasons. The issue is Brown can be baited by the quarterback, which can open the door for big plays by the offense in the NFL. There is plenty of range and versatility with Brown to play in multiple schemes and roles, but you have to work to help improve the instincts when working farther from the line of scrimmage. 

Fit with Broncos

The Broncos must find someone who can work well with Justin Simmons in the secondary. There have been flashes from Caden Sterns, but he hasn't seen the field enough. Ji'Ayir Brown has a good skill set that the Broncos can use, and his ball production could boost the defense. There is plenty of versatility to work in Vance Joseph's scheme, as a starter or as the third option. 

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