The Denver Broncos’ defensive backfield could use a boost, and Duke Dawson might just be the answer when he’s up to speed in Vic Fangio’s defense.
Aside from 37 snaps — 36 of which came on special teams — we don’t really know much about Duke Dawson, the 2018 second-round pick of the New England Patriots who was traded to the Denver Broncos at the beginning of the month.
Dawson’s reputation in college was as a scrappy slot corner and although many felt like he was a solid day two selection, some were a bit surprised to see him drafted by the Patriots in the second round.
Dawson is a 5-foot-11, 197-pound defensive back who plays a physical brand of football and does a good job in the nickel where he uses that physicality to jam receivers at the line and stay with them throughout their routes.
He also showed at Florida the ability to play the run exceptionally well, and although speed is not the name of his game, he showed he has the closing speed to be an effective player even when receivers get a bit of separation on him.
We never saw him play any real games for the New England Patriots after he was placed on IR to start his rookie season, came off IR, and then was a healthy scratch for the Pats the rest of the way.
Things didn’t go according to plan and the Patriots traded Dawson for a swap of late-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.
It was an odd trade, to say the least, considering Dawson was just picked last year and was picked high.
Now that he’s been with the Broncos for going on a month, he’s got to be getting close to ‘game ready’, right?
Here’s what Vic Fangio had to say about the second-year defensive back’s development.
"“It’s getting there. It’s one of the hardest things to do. When you get a guy midseason or right after camp, everybody wants to get him ready, but yet you’re getting reps to the guys that are going to play. It’s not as easy as it sounds, but we have met with him. But meeting only takes you so far. You have to get on the field and [get] experience. He got a bunch of reps yesterday (Wednesday) and he’ll get some today (Thursday) too.”Vic Fangio on Duke Dawson’s development (quotes via Broncos PR)"
With veteran Kareem Jackson missing practice yet again on Friday, Dawson will continue to get more reps. The Broncos will use him in the slot if Jackson is unable to play, which will give us our first chance to see this new young piece at work.
Jackson’s injury, especially if it’s just a short-term one, could wind up being a blessing in disguise if Dawson is up to the challenge.
If Dawson can play well against the Jaguars, perhaps the Broncos would consider keeping him in the nickel and putting Jackson back where they initially wanted him, at the safety position.
Either way, it would be great to see the Broncos get a guy like Dawson on the field and see what he’s got somewhere other than special teams.
Vic Fangio doesn’t seem overly keen on rotations, so injuries may be one of the only ways some of these young pieces get onto the field. Unfortunately for the Broncos, Jackson has been one of their best defensive players so far this season.
They will need Dawson to prove his worth as a second-round pick if Jackson can’t go.