Broncos 53-man roster predictions following 2022 NFL Draft

Denver Broncos safeties (5, 45/53)

Justin Simmons
Kareem Jackson
Caden Sterns
Delarrin Turner-Yell
JR Reed

I think the top three at this position group are set, but this area of the defense is where the numbers game gets really fascinating.

Beyond Caden Sterns, you have a handful of guys that will again be very tough to let go of.

The Broncos obviously liked Jamar Johnson in last year’s draft, but they have another fifth-round safety in Oklahoma’s Delarrin Turner-Yell now on the roster.

Will Johnson have made enough progress to push someone like free agent acquisition JR Reed off the roster?

I don’t know if the signing of JR Reed is receiving as much attention as it should.

It also isn’t easy to let go of PJ Locke, who has obviously been part of this organization for a few years now and has played a ton of special teams over the last two years.

As the Broncos transition to playing much more nickel and dime, we could see them allocate roster spots much differently at linebacker and safety.

Denver Broncos linebackers (3, 48/53)

Josey Jewell
Alex Singleton
Jonas Griffith

Keep in mind, you’ve also got Baron Browning who can play the off-ball linebacker position here.

Is this position group overrated in importance in today’s NFL? Maybe. You need to have linebackers that can play the run effectively as the Broncos found out the hard way last year.

However, if you can’t cover, you’re toast.

I think we’ll start to see more and more teams keeping some of their linebacker depth on the practice squad if possible but the Broncos cycled through so many at this position group last year, it’s hard to see that happening.

I think with these three players capable of starting plus Browning adding a fourth option, the Broncos could allocate 10 roster spots to the defensive backfield as is their likely preference.