Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos: Grading each position group from 2020 season

By Travis Wakeman

Nov 1, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) talks with quarterback Brett Rypien (4) in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) talks with quarterback Brett Rypien (4) in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 9
Next
Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 22: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos stands on the field as he warms up before a game against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field at Mile High on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Safeties and cornerbacks

The Broncos received excellent efforts from players at both the safety and cornerback positions this season, but not a consistent effort from the secondary as a whole.

Justin Simmons has become one of the league’s top safeties and will demand a huge payday going into next season. He led the team with five interceptions on the year and added 96 tackles, good for third on the team.

Bryce Callahan was the team’s best cover cornerback, but the Broncos needed three or four guys just like him. A.J. Bouye battled injuries and was really just average when he did play. Michael Ojemudia had some good moments but made plenty of rookie mistakes, and guys like De’Vante Bausby and Essang Bassey did their best to chip in.

As a team, the Broncos gave up 237.9 yards through the air per game, ranking them at No. 21 in the league. If there is an area the Broncos must focus on this offseason, it is the cornerback spot.

At safety, Kareem Jackson had some good moments, but he wasn’t quite as good as he was in 2019. That said, he and Simmons played in every game and gave the team the stability it needed in the defensive backfield.

As a result, hardly anyone else took any meaningful snaps at the safety spot, though the team did bring back Will Parks during the season.

The safeties were good, the corners could have been much better.

Grade: C-

Home/Broncos News