2018 Broncos' Season, Secondary Preview


Training Camp in Dove Valley is open, and the pre-season is just weeks away. so now is the time to start looking at this Broncos squad. In a series of pieces I'll be looking at each position group prior to the start of the pre-season. Today I'm looking at the secondary.

Players: Chris Harris, Jr., Bradley Roby, Justin Simmons, Darian Stewart, Su'a Cravens, Will Parks, Isaac Yiadom, Brendan Langley, Tremaine Brock, Marcus Rios, Michael Hunter, C.J. Smith, Jamaal Carter, Trey Marshall, Jordan Moore, and Dymonte Thomas.

2018 Outlook: That's a big group, and like all the groups at this stage we know not everyone will make the squad. It's also a group that's most notable for who is missing, namely Aqib Talib. When the Broncos re-made their defense in 2014 and won the Super Bowl in 2015, a lot of it was thanks to the No Fly Zone. It was an incredible secondary with Talib and Harris as shut down corners, and T.J. Ward manning the middle. With Ward gone last season, and Talib gone to Wade Phillips and the Rams this off-season, the squad has to change. But Harris and Roby are still two great corners, and Simmons is developing at safety. The addition of Cravens, who will help with coverage on TEs and supporting the run, makes this a dynamic unit. But one with many spots already locked up and a couple spots that still need to be figured out. It seems clear that Harris, Roby, Brock (who was brought in as a one-year FA to add veteran depth), Stewart, Simmons and Cravens have spots locked up. The Broncos have kept nine defensive backs in the past, so that means a lot of guys are competing for three spots.

Key Question: What young players make the team? What's the future at corner? Harris and Roby are set, and Brock is likely a one-year commitment. So, what is the future there? The Broncos took Langley last year, but he didn't make much of an impression. This year they grabbed Yiadom. It's clear they hope is one of them will make the team, and make an impact. The question is which, or whether it will be both. Another player on the bubble may be Parks, a young and promising player that hasn't quite reached that potential. This isn't a group that has serious questions at the top, but more questions about how to fill the group out.

Prediction: As in past years, I think the Broncos will keep nine in this group. And I think there will be some tough cuts. I'm going with this group: Harris, Roby, Stewart, Simmons, Cravens, Brock, Yiadom, Langley, and Thomas. I think the Broncos want five corners, and that could leave Parks the odd man out.

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