Finding Broncos: 10 Safeties Who Can Start in 2024

The Broncos need safety competition for the starting job opposite Justin Simmons, or maybe even someone to replace Simmons.

What is going to happen with the Denver Broncos' safety position? Justin Simmons could be on the way out, P.J. Locke is set to be a free agent, and Caden Sterns has had issues staying on the field, playing less than 600 snaps in three seasons. They need some solutions here, and safety could become a high priority for them, depending on what happens with Simmons and Locke. 

Unfortunately, this potentially high priority for them comes in a year when the draft class is terrible. There is a question about when the first safety gets drafted, and the over/under is set at 60.5. Beyond that, there is some solid depth in the class with a few high-ceiling prospects, but most in this class look like they can be solid depth pieces at best. So, what can the Broncos do in the draft? What prospects should they be looking at?

Cole Bishop | Utah

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Cole Bishop is a physical box safety who has his impact drop the farther away from the line of scrimmage he gets. There isn't a great range, which is limited due to poor speed. He can work in certain zone coverages, but he might be better suited in a box safety type of role.

The tackling technique is there, and he has excellent instincts overall, especially as a downhill run defender. While he has issues and limitations in coverage, he can still make an impact as a pass rusher. Seeing Bishop fall in the draft due to athletic limitations and coverage concerns wouldn't be surprising. 

Jaylin Simpson | Auburn

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Jaylin Simpson is almost the complete opposite of Cole Bishop. He is a tall, skinny defensive back who can play multiple spots in the secondary with a focus on his coverage ability. The range, speed, and athleticism are all that you want for how the NFL is going. He has the potential to be a tremendous single-high safety with range and athleticism. 

However, he brings little to the field as a run defender. The effort and desire in run support are questionable, and he sometimes seems to take his time with triggering downhill. He also has issues with physicality in coverage and can be boxed out from the catch point.

Calen Bullock | USC

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Bullock has great length and good size for the NFL. He does bring good balance and versatility with his play on the field. When working against the run, he quickly triggers downhill and will be physically present. The tackling is sound, and he has solid range, speed, and athleticism to work in various coverage zones from the safety spot. 

He doesn't play with great bends, and his ability to change directions is impacted by it. That hurts his recovery ability when working in coverage and would be even more prominent when working in man coverage. The strength isn't ideal and does show when taking on blockers or tackling bigger receivers and tight ends. 

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Javon Bullard | Georgia

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Bullard's toughness and instincts are NFL-ready, and he has an extremely high football IQ. He can be the quarterback of the defense if needed and can make an impact from all over the field. His coverage ability is great, and he has tremendous route recognition to get himself in position quickly.

The ball skills are solid, but he needs to be more consistent with his hands, with a few dropped interceptions in the past. His build may not be ideal for the NFL, but it didn't create a significant negative impact in college, which is great to see with him playing in the SEC. 

Tykee Smith | Georgia

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Tykee Smith may be better suited to being a nickel in the NFL, with his coverage ability and value as a run defender. He is physically working downhill against the run and will set the edge when working in the slot. The versatility is there to play multiple roles outside of being a nickel, and he will compete wherever he lines up. His instincts and football IQ  are tremendous in providing the versatility he offers. 

He isn't the best athlete on the field, which does hurt his range. Smith won't ever be a single high safety, and his effectiveness, even in a two-high, may not be ideal as a result. His arm length is a concern, and it shows up with his tackling but also in contesting the catch point. 

Sione Vaki | Utah

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Sione Vaki is one of the most interesting safeties in this class because of his ability to contribute in all three phases. During his time at Utah, he was used as a running back with great effectiveness, was an adequate safety, and was a solid special teams player. At the Senior Bowl, it was often talked about with teams being interested in using him in every phase at the NFL level. 

He brings great speed and is tough as they come. Both help his effectiveness as a running back and solid safety. The tackling is a bit of a concern, and he does have to develop the instincts in coverage, but he will bring good range. Vaki might be a player whose versatility slows the development of the NFL, but he can become a good player who can contribute in a way that has rarely been seen in the NFL. 

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson | Texas Tech

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Taylor-Demerson has good versatility with his usage in coverage, though he doesn't have positional versatility. He is an effective pass rusher with solid technique and timing when coming as a blitzer. He was at the Shrine Bowl and had one of the better weeks. Multiple people praised his ability to communicate with new teammates and pick up the defense. 

He is a ball-hawk with good range and has 11 interceptions over the past three seasons with 15 more passes broken up. There is excellent experience, playing almost 2,900 snaps in college and various roles. There isn't much mass to his frame, which brings about issues against the run, tackling, and working against physical receivers. He has 41 missed tackles over the past three seasons with 10 touchdowns given up, showing a boom-or-bust play style. 

Jaden Hicks | Washington State

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Hicks is an ideal zone safety who can work every level of the field. He has the range, speed, instincts, and athleticism to work deeper zones in coverage and will trigger downhill and play physically against the run. His football IQ is high, and he is a smooth and fluid mover, which helps with his change of direction. 

There isn't great long speed, which will keep him from working at a single-high safety, but he can still operate at a two-high. His tackling technique must be more consistent to help cut back on the missed tackles. One of his most significant issues here is making sure he comes to balance before going to tackle, which leads to some loose attempts being broken through. He also doesn't offer much in a heavier-man scheme early, but he could develop there. 

Malik Mustapha | Wake Forest

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Malik Musapha is rising up the board with his energy, football IQ, instincts, and physical play style. His energy is contagious, and he knows how to make plays to excite his teammates and knows when it is needed. He doesn't have a great range on the backend, but he can still operate as a two-high safety. Despite that, he is better closer to the line of scrimmage than farther away from it. 

Sometimes, he can be overaggressive and get out of position too early. His recovery athleticism is solid but not significant enough to make up for those mistakes consistently. His tackling technique is clean and consistent, and there are few missed tackles on tape, even when he gets overaggressive with his tackling attempts. 

Beau Brade | Maryland

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Brade is one of the better-run defenders from the safety position in this class. He can be moved around the formation as a chess piece, playing anywhere in the back seven. His instincts are great, and he rarely finds himself out of position. He has excellent closing speed and bursts to close on the ball in a flash. 

There are instances where he doesn't trust his eyes as a run defender and can lose sight of the ball, but in college, his speed helps make up for it, which may not be the case in the NFL. He doesn't have elite top speed and is quicker than fast. A creative defensive playcaller could get a lot of success out of Brade early. 

This is a bad year to need safety help. That could impact the decision for the Broncos with what they do with Simmons and Locke. If they move on from one or both of them, then it could be a significant step back regarding the impact of the safeties in the 2024 season, even if they add a safety in the draft. 

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