Denver Broncos 2018 roster evaluations: Safety

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Strong safety Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a sack against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Strong safety Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a sack against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 31: Defensive back Dymonte Thomas #35 and defensive back Jamal Carter #20 of the Denver Broncos react after a play against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 31: Defensive back Dymonte Thomas #35 and defensive back Jamal Carter #20 of the Denver Broncos react after a play against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 31, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

The second unit

Jamal Carter

The Broncos made Carter a high priority after the 2017 NFL Draft and gave him a $20,000 signing bonus.

He ended up making the final 53-man roster and making an impact on special teams throughout the year before he was given some defensive snaps late in the season.

Carter was used in the box, primarily, which is no surprise given his size, strength, and speed in a straight line.

Carter attacks the line of scrimmage and the Broncos could find ways to creatively use him as a blitzer and in the box as a linebacker.

Dymonte Thomas

Playing a much more traditional free safety role in his limited regular season snaps for the Broncos, Dymonte Thomas proved himself to be a very good free agent pickup after the 2017 NFL Draft.

As a rookie, Thomas spent a lot of time on the practice squad but eventually got called up to the active roster and looked particularly good in the team’s Thursday night game against the Indianapolis Colts.

He played the majority of his snaps as a free safety.

Schedule