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Denver Broncos post-draft roster prediction for 2022 season

By Graham Tiedtke

ENGLEWOOD, CO - MARCH 16: Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett of the Denver Broncos (R) address the media as Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos looks on at UCHealth Training Center on March 16, 2022 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO - MARCH 16: Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett of the Denver Broncos (R) address the media as Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos looks on at UCHealth Training Center on March 16, 2022 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Sep 26, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) motions after a play in the first quarter against the New York Jets at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) motions after a play in the first quarter against the New York Jets at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos Roster Prediction: Defensive Backs

Safeties (5, 48/53): Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, Caden Sterns, Jamar Johnson, Delarrin Turner-Yell 

The Broncos have three locks at the safety position in Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, and Caden Sterns. I could see Jamar Johnson being a lock, too. However, if the team carries four safeties, look for Johnson to compete with draftee Delarrin Turner-Yell.

The only way that I see Turner-Yell playing much is either on special teams or if the team suffers injuries at the safety position. However, it’s important to have the availability there, and therefore, he makes the team.

There is no unseating Simmons, and Jackson may be finished with the team following this year but Sterns was very productive for the team in 2021.

Cornerbacks (5, 53/53): Ronald Darby, Patrick Surtain II, K’Waun Williams, Michael Ojemudia, Damarri Mathis

The Broncos lost Bryce Callahan go to the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason and have not re-signed Kyle Fuller, who hit free agency as well. That leaves Ronald Darby and Patrick Surtain as the team’s top cornerbacks.

Surtain was the team’s first-round draft pick from a year ago and was very impressive as a rookie. It should not be long before he’s getting even more recognition than he did as a rookie. His progress is something that everybody should keep an eye on going forward.

Darby was signed to a three-year contract last offseason and played in 11 games for the team. Following the signing, Bleacher Report deemed the acquisition the team’s worst of the offseason. No matter what negativity is going to be said about him, his goal will be to shut those people up.

Michael Ojemudia was a third-round pick of the team in the 2020 NFL Draft. He played in just two games for the team in 2021 before suffering a season-ending injury. In 2020, as a rookie, Ojemudia allowed 61.4 completion percentage for 815 yards and three touchdowns.

Aside from those three players, the Broncos will be getting two other guys who didn’t play a down for them in 2021:  K’Waun Williams, and rookie Damarri Mathis.

Williams previously played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns. During his career, he has 301 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, and four interceptions. He should play in the team’s slot corner position.

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