Denver Broncos position preview: Safety depth chart ahead of training camp

Travis Wakeman

Denver Broncos position preview: Safety depth chart ahead of training camp image

Shortly into the 2024 NFL offseason, the Denver Broncos took a calculated risk by releasing Justin Simmons. It was a move that saved the team salary cap space, but it also meant getting rid of their defensive captain and one of their best players. 

That has led to a ton of legitimate questions being asked concerning the safety position. Who is going to replace Simmons? Do the Broncos have enough at the safety position or is this an area where they will get exposed?

Heading into training camp in just a couple of weeks, this is how the team's depth chart looks at the position. 

Denver Broncos depth chart ahead of training camp

1. Brandon Jones

The answer to who will replace Simmons at least for the time being is Brandon Jones. The Broncos signed the former Miami Dolphins safety in free agency and he will have big shoes to fill. At least on paper, this is a big downgrade. 

2. P.J. Locke

P.J. Locke has taken the long road to get where he is, going from a practice squad guy and special teams contributor to being in line to be a starter. He filled in quite well last year when Kareem Jackson was forced to serve multiple suspensions. 

 

3. Caden Sterns

As long as Caden Sterns is healthy, he will figure into the starting talk and have a chance to receive significant snaps. But after missing almost all of the 2023 season, that is a big question. 

4. Delarrin Turner-Yell

Delarrin Turner-Yell is a solid contributor on special teams, but that is likely his NFL ceiling. He has struggled when called upon on defense and if the Broncos get good contributions from the guys behind him on this list, it shouldn't be too difficult to move on from him. 

5. JL Skinner

JL Skinner was not used much at all during his rookie season but the raw talent is evident. The hope will be that he has developed enough in the offseason and comes out on fire this summer because he could be a tremendous future piece. 

6. Omar Brown

As discussed during the undrafted rookie spotlight series, Omar Brown has a legitimate chance to make this roster. He will be one to watch in camp. 

7. Devon Key

Devon Key has spent the past two seasons with the Broncos as a member of the practice squad. He is nothing more than a deep depth piece at this point. 

8. Keidron Smith

The chances of Keidron Smith making the team this year are extremely low, but he is still a young player with upside who could make a case for the practice squad. 

Travis Wakeman

Travis Wakeman Photo

Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.