Denver Broncos: Trey Marshall must be ready to have number called in 2020

Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson make up one of the more formidable safety combinations in football, but do the Denver Broncos have enough behind them?

Many fans hoped that the team would be able to re-sign Will Parks this offseason, but the former sixth-round pick opted for a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. The loss of Parks means the Broncos will need to find a No. 3 safety, a position that saw the field often last year.

That will be the role held by Trey Marshall this season. It could say a lot about how the Broncos feel about Marshall that they didn’t add a safety through free agency or the draft. Primarily a special teams guy since making the team as an undrafted free agent out of Florida State in 2018, Marshall’s role will expand this season.

Marshall has just 25 tackles and one fumble recovery in his two-year career. He was also on the field for just 15 percent of the team’s defensive snaps last season, according to Pro Football Reference.

But the Broncos don’t appear to have a better option.

The other safeties on the team include P.J. Locke, Kahani Smith and undrafted free agent Douglas Coleman. Alijah Holder, listed as a cornerback, may get a shot at safety too.

For Marshall, he could see the field a whole lot more than he has thus far in his career. Last year, Parks was on the field for over half (50.9 percent) of the team’s defensive snaps.

Parks had many responsibilities at his position, both in run support and in coverage. The third safety plays a key role in this defensive scheme, but it’s clear that the Broncos trust in Marshall’s ability to handle the responsibility.

Marshall filled in for Jackson for the last two games of the 2019 season when Jackson was suspended. Those two games likely won over the confidence of the organization. However, if either Jackson or Simmons were to go down to a long-term injury, the team could have a big problem.

Whether or not there is enough depth at safety is a big question surrounding the Broncos heading toward the 2020 season, and Marshall’s performance will be a key factor and one that will be easily overlooked, for the defense.