Finding Broncos: Two Defensive Backs to Bolster the Secondary

The Denver Broncos need to add to their secondary. They can use help at both safety and cornerback, where the depth is questionable. However, unlike at corner, they need someone to compete for a starting job at safety with Caden Sterns. These two defensive backs have good versatility to play almost anywhere in the secondary, but one is more of a corner, and the other can do well anywhere.

Jartavius Martin | DB | Illinois

Pros

Plenty of experience from various spots in the secondary.
He kept it clean with penalties with five over five seasons.
He has great ball skills, where he picked up seven interceptions and 18 passes broken up in his career.
He cleaned up tackling over the last two seasons to significantly drop his missed tackle rate.
He showed up well in zone and man coverage with technique and traits to work in either.
Physical and aggressive in the run game, and matching receivers in coverage.
Has plenty of range that can lead to a single high safety role.
Instincts and awareness are more than good enough for the NFL.
Keeps blockers off his frame in run support.
Good footwork with quick and light feet.

Cons

He needs to keep his backpedal low with good bend consistently.
More reps on tape than you wish to see of him losing his man in coverage.
He might be more limited to a slot/safety role in the NFL and not get a chance on the boundary.
There are questions about his fluidity and change of direction, and he didn't do agility drills at the combine.
Doesn't show the best recovery athleticism on tape.
Can take aggressive angles and come up short in pursuit.
Needs to balance the aggression in man coverage.

Overview

Martin is a versatile defensive back that had a great day at the NFL Combine. His physical nature and willingness in run support could see him play in the nickel, where the NFL desires that type of play style. Martin has tremendous versatility due to his ability to play anywhere in the secondary and any scheme, and his value will get a significant boost.

Fit with Broncos

Martin would be an excellent fit for the Broncos' secondary because he can compete with Caden Sterns for a starting safety spot while providing depth throughout the secondary. He can work in the scheme and be a versatile weapon in the secondary. In addition, there are great ball skills to work with, which can boost the defense that was in the top 10 for interceptions.

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Darius Rush | CB | South Carolina

Pros

He played nearly 1,200 snaps over the last two seasons picking up three interceptions and 14 passes broken up.
He only had two penalties in his career.
He allowed 34 catches on 70 career targets over the last two seasons.
Excellent size and length and can work around the receiver's body to attack the catch point.
He tested out exceptionally well at the NFL Combine and had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
Great experience on special teams with reliable and disciplined play on coverage units.
He has great timing to attack the catch, protecting himself from penalties for getting there early.
Doesn't make life easy for receivers throughout their routes or at the catch point.
His awareness and instincts are great and help his coverage in zone shine.

Cons

He doesn't have much experience, with only two seasons playing more than 500 snaps, and he played 71 snaps on defense over his first two seasons.
He allowed six touchdowns over the last two seasons.
Tackling was an issue, with 14 missed tackles over two seasons and a missed tackle percentage of 18.9%.
Can struggle to mirror through breaks in route running.
Long strider, which hurts his ability to change direction, leads to many wasted steps/movements.
Might be limited to a zone coverage scheme due to issues mirroring in man.

Overview

Darius Rush has the ideal size and length to be a boundary corner in the NFL. His awareness and instincts are such a bonus to his athletic profile, and they stand out when you watch him. He has great timing when attacking the catch point and has excellent ball skills. However, there might be some scheme limitations, and his tackling consistency isn't close to what you want from a corner with his measurements.

Fit with Broncos

The fit with the Broncos could be awkward, with Vance Joseph loving cover-1 and cover-2 man concepts and Rush not being best suited for man coverage. However, there are traits that you can develop to be a better fit while he provides a good piece on special teams. In addition, his size and athletic profile make coaches want to work with him because you can't teach size or athleticism.

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