Denver Broncos: Who makes the roster at safety in 2020?

3 of 6

KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 15: Running back Jeremy Banks #33 of the Tennessee Volunteers is tackled by defensive back Kahani Smith #24 of the UTEP Miners during the second half of the game between the UTEP Miners and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-0. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

Kahani Smith

At this point in time, we really don’t know at all what the Broncos have in young Kahani Smith.

He was offered a tryout for the Seattle Seahawks in the 2019 offseason but it didn’t lead anywhere and he eventually signed on with the Denver Broncos as a reserve/futures contract player.

At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Smith is built like a deep free safety with good length but not a ton of bulk to hold up if asked to play in the box.

He has a couple of highlight reels on YouTube from his time at UTEP, and posted some decent numbers in two seasons there after starting his college career at the JUCO level.

In 22 games at UTEP, he had 127 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 13 pass breakups. His highlight reels show a really solid ability to break on the football from the deep free safety position, and his senior highlight in particular highlights a better ability to play in the box than you would expect.

Overall, this is the type of player who is going to have to prove his worth in camp and preseason play in order to crack a roster, but he’s got a shot with a somewhat thin group.

Home/Broncos News