One of the clearest battles in Broncos camp is unfolding at safety, where Denver already knows its top two and now has to sort through the rest.
With P.J. Locke gone in free agency, Devon Key looks like the first man up as the Broncos’ No. 3 safety.
That role matters more than a typical backup spot, since it gets real snaps even when the starters are healthy. Key also brings value on special teams, where he was a first-team All-Pro last season, and he looks like a strong bet to make the roster.
That still leaves Denver with only one obvious opening at safety if the team carries four, though five remains a possibility. The reason is simple: the depth players are also useful on special teams, which gives the Broncos some flexibility when roster cuts arrive.
Talanoa Hufanga said after Thursday’s practice that the young safeties behind him have stood out for the right reasons.
"Those guys work extremely hard. They're very inquisitive and aren't afraid to ask questions," Hufanga said.
"They're constantly coming to me or Brandon Jones looking for advice because they want to learn. Some players are hesitant to ask questions, but those guys are willing to do whatever it takes to improve."
That kind of curiosity matters in Vance Joseph’s defense, which has a reputation for being more complicated and tougher for newcomers to pick up. Free-agent addition Tycen Anderson and rookie seventh-round pick Miles Scott are both trying to get comfortable in it.
JL Skinner, though, has the advantage of experience. The 2023 sixth-round pick has been in Joseph’s scheme since Sean Payton’s first draft class, and he’s now heading into a contract year. That familiarity could give him the edge for the fourth safety spot, and likely the final one if Denver sticks with four.
The Broncos’ need for depth at the position is easy to see. Hufanga has dealt with injuries before arriving in Denver, and Jones missed the final three games and the entire playoffs last season with a pectoral injury. Last year, the Broncos had to lean on Locke when Jones went down, and that kind of insurance could matter again.
Depth is just as important on the defensive line, where Denver has the only starting job still open as camp begins. Hufanga pointed to that broader roster strength when talking about how the Broncos build their defense.
"Our coaches stress the importance of depth because we saw how valuable it was last year when Brandon went down, and P.J. stepped in and made big plays, including the interception against Buffalo," Hufanga said. "The same goes for replacing John Franklin-Myers.
Tyler Onyedim has to come in, learn quickly, and contribute. That's how you build a deep defense."
Denver also added Parker Robertson as a college free agent, and he arrives with a résumé built on beating the odds. Robertson walked on at Oklahoma State as a freshman, earned a scholarship, became a special teams ace, served as a team captain, and developed into a dependable starter at safety.
Last season, as a redshirt senior, he posted 77 tackles, 8.5 for loss, two forced fumbles, one sack, an interception, and five pass break-ups. He stands 5-foot-11 and 193 pounds, which helps explain why he went undrafted, but his production and motor make him a real name to watch.
If the Broncos keep five safeties, there will still be someone left out. If they keep four, the squeeze gets even tighter. Either way, Denver is headed for some hard decisions, and this group is one of the places where those calls will be made.
For now, the safest bets behind Hufanga and Jones appear to be Key and Skinner, with Anderson’s $1.5 million contract not enough to guarantee him anything. Friday brings the real start of camp, with the Broncos wrapping up their acclimation sessions, and the competition among the depth safeties is about to get a lot more serious.
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