Defense/Special Teams
Strong Safety
At the strong safety position, the Denver Broncos have Kareem Jackson as the SS1 and Su’a Cravens as SS2. Then they put Trey Marshall as SS3 and Jamal Carter as SS4.
Jackson has the ability to play strong safety (otherwise they wouldn’t have put him as a starter there), as well as cornerback. There are going to be times when Jackson will switch to cornerback, bumping other players to play safety. In Vic Fangio’s defense, there won’t just be 11 guys getting game action.
We should see plenty of Su’a Cravens at safety and sometimes in a linebacker role. But Fangio has stated in the past that Cravens needs to make the final 53 as a safety first and foremost.
I personally was looking forward to seeing Will Parks and Justin Simmons go side-by-side at the safety positions, but understand why Jackson is the starter there.
Cornerback
Chris Harris Jr. is the CB1 (thank you, captain obvious). After Harris is Bryce Callahan at the other cornerback spot and Isaac Yiadom behind Harris Jr.
This goes back to Kareem Jackson. How much will we see Jackson in a cornerback role? How much will we see him at safety?
In Fangio’s defense, it could be a mix. It will depend on the offensive personnel and situations.
Kick returner and Punt returner
The Denver Broncos list Devontae Booker and River Cracraft at the kick and punt returner positions, respectively.
I touched on the team’s punt returner situation on Tuesday, and I feel that the position is still up for grabs.
Maybe both of those spots are.
The Broncos struggled on special teams last year and hopefully they get a boost. Maybe a new player will emerge and end up being the top guy for the job.