Broncos Roster: Predicting Each Safety's Odds of Making it

Every NFL team has those players that are guaranteed to make the roster. They're the easiest ones to project onto the 53-man roster, and even a team that went 5-12 the year before, like the Denver Broncos, has them.

The Broncos have one of the best safeties in the NFL, but after him, the position is replete with questions. Health is a significant factor for all the questions at the position, but age and development are also factors.

As I break down the Broncos' safeties, players will be placed into three tiers based on their chances of making the roster. Here's a quick explanation of the three tiers that reflect the different percentage ranges that each player will fall into.

Let's examine each player's roster outlook.

Tier 1: 70-100%

Justin Simmons | Caden Sterns

Simmons is one of the best safeties in the NFL. Of course, with his contract as well, he is at 100% to make the roster. There's a question about who will start next to him, and his contract status becomes a question after the season.

Sterns is the early favorite to start next to Simmons, but he's returning from a hip injury. While Sterns may not start, odds are he will be on the roster as the third safety at the very least. He should be the starter as long as the hip is good and doesn't create issues for him moving during training camp and preseason games.

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Tier 2: 40-69%

Kareem Jackson | J.L. Skinner | P.J. Locke

There is a lot of unproven with the depth of the safety room, so bringing Jackson back made sense there. However, it has been clear he has lost multiple steps with his play.

Jackson is often in the wrong place in coverage, and his run defense isn't close to what it was. That said, he could still end up being the starter, and whoever isn't starting next to Simmons between Jackson and Sterns will be the third safety.

Skinner is said to be ahead of schedule from a torn pectoral suffered two days before the NFL Scouting Combine. He is projected to be ready by the start of the season and should participate in training camp. While the medicals are important, I will go with him being good to go by the start of the season.

As for Locke, he has been a solid special teams player, and his limited reps on defense have been solid. He's a good depth piece to keep around, but his spot depends on roster math and the status of Skinner.

If the Broncos keep five, then Locke is good, but if they keep four and Skinner is good to go, Locke may be on the outside looking in.

READ: Broncos Roster Prediction: Revealing Each OT's Odds of Making it

Tier 3: 0-39%

Devon Key | Delarrin Turner-Yell

Both players are fighting to make the roster and have a long road to make it. This duo will need Skinner not to be ready and for the Broncos to keep six safeties. Outside of that, it's a long shot for them.

Key is a versatile defensive back who can play multiple roles in the secondary. He got some run in the secondary in the previous two preseason for the Kansas City Chiefs but has not taken a snap in the regular season.

As for Turner-Yell, he only played one snap on defense and was a special team regular. He saw 250 total snaps, spread over four of the six special teams phases, and did alright.

Turner-Yell had some big moments, and he picked up eight special teams tackles, but there was a lack of consistency. His status as a special teams player does give him a better chance than Key to make it.

The Takeaway

The safety position has plenty of questions due to medical and age. It has the potential to become a good group, but these players need to get on the field and show it, and when they do, staying on the field and consistency will be paramount.

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