Denver Broncos: Undrafted rookie spotlight on DB Douglas Coleman III
Though he went undrafted, Douglas Coleman III was one of the best defensive backs in the nation last year.
Coleman started in all 12 games for the Texas Tech Red Raiders last season and in four years, played in 39 games for the school. In his first three years, he had one interception in each but in his senior season, he exploded with eight picks, good for second-most in the country.
Those eight interceptions were the most by a player at Texas Tech since Tracy Saul had that many all the way back in 1991. His efforts helped him be named to the All-Big 12 First Team last season, yet he still went undrafted.
Looking for more depth at safety, the Denver Broncos signed Coleman following the draft and he will now come in and compete for a backup spot behind Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson.
Coleman did not get much hype leading up to the draft and was not invited to the scouting combine. Without the large number of interceptions, there isn’t much to talk about during his college career.
Coleman is an athletic, ball-hawking safety who played in several different coverages at Texas Tech and played well in each. He will have to rely on that athleticism and prove that he is a sure tackler in the NFL to have a lasting career.
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Chances to make 55-man roster (1-10 scale): 5
Coleman definitely signed with the right team following the draft. The Broncos have a couple of studs as their starting safeties, but there is little to no depth behind them. Aside from Coleman, the other safeties currently on the roster are Trey Marshall, Kahani Smith and P.J. Locke.
If you figure the Broncos will keep at least four safeties than Coleman has a great shot to make this team.
Marshall is a good special teams player and in two seasons with the team, is slowly carving out a role on the roster after being an undrafted free agent himself. As for Smith and Locke, Coleman could easily beat both of them out for a spot.
Of course, the Broncos could add another safety at some point this offseason through trade or even free agency, where guys like Eric Reid, Morgan Burnett and Reshad Jones are all available.
But if the team sticks with this group at safety, Coleman’s chances are at least as good as the odds of a coin flip, and likely slightly better. At the very least, he should find a spot on the team’s practice squad.