Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio gave a major shoutout to rookie safety Caden Sterns. Sterns has a chance to be an early factor.
Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio is certainly not afraid to speak his mind to the media and doesn’t beat around the bush when he’s not pleased with the way a particular player is practicing or progressing. Fangio is not without perspective and certainly doesn’t just hop on the mic after practice and start calling out players, but he does a good job of managing hype through limiting hyperbole if you will.
When Fangio heaps praise on a player, especially a rookie, it’s very notable and worth some attention.
Recently, Fangio heaped some praise on rookie safety Caden Sterns, a fifth-round pick out of Texas, for his great work in training camp thus far.
"He’s doing well. He’s picked up the defense extremely well. He’s been able to advance it a lot quicker than your average rookie can at his position. I’ve been very pleased with the way he’s progressed in this camp and learned everything. One of the bigger, final tests for him—and we won’t know until we start playing games—is he has to be able to tackle. If he does a good job of tackling and he’s a reliable tackler, then I think we have a good player.Vic Fangio (via Denver Broncos PR)"
Sterns was one of a number of slight underachievers at the college level despite the fact that he entered a major Power Five program as a five-star prospect that was part of the Denver Broncos’ good-looking 2021 NFL Draft class.
Sterns is a rock-solid 6-feet, 202 pounds and tested very well in terms of his speed and explosiveness. His pro day at Texas was highlighted by a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash and a 42-inch vertical jump.
Justin Simmons had a ridiculous 40-inch vertical jump at the Scouting combine ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft and only a handful of players in the history of the NFL’s combine have jumped higher than 42 inches.
The question as he transitioned to the NFL was obviously whether or not Sterns could translate that elite athletic ability onto the field, and he’s done just that in the early goings of training camp.
Sterns has a couple of interceptions in camp and has obviously impressed the most important guy there is to impress on the team, Fangio.
When Fangio says that Sterns has been able to pick up the defense extremely well and quicker than the average rookie, it’s no small deal. Picking up the Fangio defense has been notoriously difficult for young players and veterans alike.
A sped-up development process would be great news for the Denver Broncos, who have some questions at the safety position opposite Justin Simmons beyond this coming season.
Kareem Jackson is back on a one-year deal, but there’s obviously no guarantee that he would also be back in 2022, especially if Sterns progresses.
Talent has never been a question mark for Sterns, who was one of the best high school players in the state of Texas, where being the best high school player is no small feat. He made an instant impact as a member of the Longhorns and while his production took a dip in years two and three, the potential has certainly not disappeared.
The change of scenery to Denver could be exactly what the doctor ordered for Sterns, and playing for some of the top developers of defensive back talent in Vic Fangio, Ed Donatell, and new DBs coach Christian Parker certainly helps.
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Sterns is on the fast track to making an impact with the Denver Broncos, and that’s exciting for an already loaded secondary.