Denver Broncos: 53-man roster prediction at 2021 OTAs
Safety (5, 50/53)
Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, PJ Locke, Caden Sterns, Jamar Johnson
The Denver Broncos desperately needed to add depth at the safety position in the 2021 offseason, and they did just that when they drafted both Caden Sterns and Jamar Johnson in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Kareem Jackson initially had his 2021 contract option declined by the Broncos, but the team managed to bring him back at a substantially discounted rate.
Jackson makes up the second half of the best safety duo in the NFL with Justin Simmons, who got a big-time contract extension from the Broncos this offseason making him the highest-paid safety in the league based on average annual pay.
The wild card here is whether the Broncos keep five safeties or an extra corner, and if they keep five safeties, who will stick between PJ Locke and Trey Marshall?
Chris Cooper will also make his case, but nobody played more special teams for the Broncos in 2020 than PJ Locke at 378 snaps. Preseason play at the safety position will be critical for Locke sticking on the roster with his pal and fellow Texas alum Caden Sterns.
Specialists (3, 53/53)
Brandon McManus, Max Duffy, Jacob Bobenmoyer
The big news here would be Max Duffy getting the nod for the Denver Broncos over 2020 free agent pickup Sam Martin.
Duffy was the top-ranked punter in the 2021 NFL Draft by Dane Brugler of The Athletic, and he was the 2019 Ray Guy Award winner at Kentucky as the nation’s top punter.
Martin was solid in his first year in Denver, but it’s hard to argue the cost-effective move if a guy can give you comparable or even better play.
Duffy is a former Australian-rules player who’s got some intriguing athleticism to him, as well.