5 Late Safeties for Additional Competition in Broncos Rebuild

The Broncos are rebuilding their safety position, and any of these five safeties can add additional competition.

Sep 29, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Nate Johnson (13) scrambles under / Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Safety has seen the most turnover as the Denver Broncos continue to churn their roster over and start their rebuild. Long-time team leader Justin Simmons was released, opening a big hole on the back end of the secondary. PJ Locke was rewarded with a new contract based on his stellar performance last season, and Brandon Jones was signed to provide an experienced starter, but the room needs more depth overall. 

This year’s safety class lacks game-changing talent in the early rounds, but some quality depth options are available for the Broncos as the board unfolds. 

Dec 18, 2021; Inglewood, CA, USA; Oregon State Beavers defensive back Kitan Oladapo (28) battles for / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kitan Oladapo | Oregon State

Pros:

Muscular and aggressive, Oladapo projects as a box safety capable of providing violent aggression in run support. He has a quick trigger and arrives violently, showing quality tackling form and balance when attacking ball carriers. His football IQ shines as a leader on the back end, and he drives the communication pre-snap to get the rest of the secondary aligned correctly. There are some quality man coverage reps on his tape when going against tight ends over the middle of the field, and he shows enough ball skills and violent hands to disrupt the catch point. 

Cons:

Oladapo has a very stiff lower half in his change of direction ability, and his lateral agility needs to improve. Players with long speed can quickly close the cushion in their backpedal, and he lacks recovery speed to close distances when playing in open space. His linear play style could limit him to playing closer to the football at the next level, and he can get caught out of position due to his aggressive nature and desire to make plays.

My Grade: 4th Round 

Erick Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 122

Oct 14, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Aaron Anderson (1) runs after a / Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Jaylin Simpson | Auburn

Pros:

Long, fluid, and athletic, Simpson is a versatile defensive back with enough range to play as a single high safety and drop into the slot as a cornerback. His ball skills shine on his tape, and he has elite-level closing speed to the football. When he recognizes the play design, he shows an explosive first step with intent to strike, especially against crossing routes over the middle of the field. Smooth transitions in his hips allow him to remain sticky in man coverage, and his change of direction ability flashes frequently in open spaces.

Cons:

Simpson lacks the desired size and mass to be trusted as a run supporter at the next level. His lack of physicality is a deterrent in press coverage, and his tackling technique, plus blockers can easily wash him out of the play. He arrives at the football out of control and misses tackles in open space due to poor attack angles. Despite being long and fluid, his aggressiveness in making plays on the football field exposes his coverage ability on double moves, and receivers can force him to open his hips too early on vertical routes.

My Grade: 4th Round

Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 115

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Nov 4, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) runs against / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tykee Smith | Georgia

Pros:

Aggressive behavior best describes Smith’s play style; he shines as a run supporter in the nickel safety position. He flies around the field with violent intent, showing great power upon arrival. His ability in off-man coverage against tight ends and slot receivers pops off his tape, and his physicality is noteworthy, considering his size. In coverage, Smith shows excellent recovery speed from his trail technique and uses attitude with his front hand to knock the football away. Blitzing from the edge is a significant plus as well. 

Cons:

Smith has stiffness in his hips, which hampers his change of direction ability in open spaces and opens up separation if he can’t get physical at the point of attack. Sharp-breaking routes cause him trouble in coverage, especially toward the boundary. There are too many instances of his aggressive nature getting him out of position in his run fits, and he fails to keep containment on the edge. He lacks the desired length for a high-end coverage defender, and he can miss tackles due to poor angles and inability to wrap and drive. 

My Grade: 5th Round

Trickel’s Big Board Position:  No. 169

Nov 2, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Christian Horned Frogs wide receiver JP Richardson (7) / Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Owens | Texas Tech

Pros:

An absolute freak of an athlete with great size for the position, Owens can play all over the secondary. He’s a physical player with high-end speed and meets every challenge face-to-face with authority. His length is a great tool, and he uses it well to disengage from blockers and in the passing game. Owens has enough range to play as a single-high defender, enough physicality to play in the box, and enough fluidity to play in space and close to ball carriers. If he doesn’t latch on as a defender, Owens has every tool to become a high-quality special teams player. 

Cons:

Tools are great, but experience matters. Owens has only started 12 games in his career and needs a lot of coaching to understand his assignments. He is constantly out of position as a run defender and frequently misses his landmarks in zone coverage. Play recognition and awareness are lacking on his tape, and he needs to see the play unfold before he unloads his athleticism to make the play. 

My Grade: 6th Round

Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 176

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland runs against Ohio State safety Josh Proctor during the first / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Josh Proctor | Ohio State

Pros:

Proctor is an experienced player with good footwork and a high football IQ. He identifies route combinations easily, keeps himself in position to make plays, and drives to the football well as a run defender. Man coverage from the slot is not a problem, and he has enough size to play physically at the catch point against tight ends. His body control is a big plus, and he shows fluid transitions in open space.

Cons:

Play speed is a big issue for Proctor, especially when roaming the back end of the secondary as a single-high defender. A lack of range on the back end will likely limit him to a split-field coverage scheme at the next level. He plays with a high pad level, which can cause problems as a tackler and in his ability to change direction. Ball productivity is a problem due to dropped interceptions.

My Grade: 6th Round

Trickel’s Big Board Position: No. 162

The Broncos still have Caden Sterns as an unknown commodity on their roster due to an onslaught of injuries early in his career, though he projects as a do-it-all player. They also have JL Skinner as a developmental prospect as a box safety with special teams versatility. Even so, adding another player as competition with a starting upside is on the table.

Smith is an intriguing player to add to this roster, as he provides the second-level run support Vance Joseph likes from his secondary players. His aggressiveness is attractive, and he offers enough coverage to hang around in a man-coverage scheme. 

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