13 NFL Draft options for the Broncos at safety

There’s truly only one big position group left as a potential draft need for the Broncos coming up in the 2016 Draft (considering how high the organization is on Jeff Heuerman we didn’t think TE was worth mentioning considering the weak position class this year, but stay tuned on BSNDenver for full draft rankings and more for all your draft needs).

That need, while not as major as others, is safety. Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward are definite fan favorites and for good reason, the guys complement each other while playing an aggressive intimidating style of football. The problem isn’t Stewart or Ward but rather the lack of depth behind them, that often left the Broncos without alternatives when both missed time due to injury. The loss of David Bruton has only heightened this need, leaving the Broncos without their primary backup fro both safety spots, not to mention without their special teams captain.

There’s a definite chance that the Broncos will draft at least one safety in the upcoming draft, even if corners like Kayvon Webster and Bradley Roby play more snaps at the position. Depth is needed, plus Stewart’s contract runs out in 2017, Ward is 29 with one of the biggest safety contracts in the league and a bit of an injury history, so the position might not be as set as it seems. The Broncos likely won’t address the position till the later rounds, so we’ll gloss over the potential first three round options and talk a bit more about the late round prospects.

First-round options 

Karl Joseph, SS, West Virginia (5-foot-10, 205 pounds) 

An in-the-box safety who would work as a Ward clone and just destroy and intimidate anything in his path. Few players put it on the line as much as Joseph does or hit harder, with his injury history that’s not necessarily a great thing, he’s receiving lots of first-round hype lately, might not even be around at 31.

Von Bell, FS, Ohio State (5-foot-11, 205 pounds)

Bell is the best safety in coverage of the entire draft and a willing tackler. He’s not the flashiest and doesn’t grab you like Joseph does, but he’s got the skills to be an NFL starter and could even play some at corner. If the Broncos are searching for a long-term starter at free safety he’s the best option in this draft.

Keanu Neal, SS, Florida (6-foot, 211 pounds)

A heat-seeking missile type of defender, he’s always in the middle of the action on tape and often making big plays. Neal plays more like a linebacker than he does a defensive back, he could be a solution as both a Ward backup and potential Trevathan replacement as another member of the Safeties converted to linebackers club that’s become all the rage in the NFL. An in the box player who closes downhill in a hurry, like Joseph his stock seems to be on the rise and could be a surprise first-rounder.

Day two options

Sean Davis, CB/S, Maryland (6-foot-1, 201 pounds)

An interesting player on this list, he’s a corner/safety hybrid who plays with an aggressive edge that’s fun to watch. Has both the cover skills and attitude to be a factor at the position, might not be around by the Broncos second-round pick.

Jeremy Cash, SS, Duke (6-foot, 212 pounds)

Another in-the-box safety who plays like an added linebacker. Cash is a violent, intimidating safety with limited coverage ability but with just a vicious hitting style, was an absolute star for the Blue Devils. Cash is another candidate as both a strong safety backup and potential inside backer option.

Jalen Mills, S/CB, LSU (6-foot, 191 pounds)

Mills has the coverage talent that the NFL looks for in their safeties. Not the biggest playmaker and won’t wow you with his tape with explosive plays, but he can cover in the slot, on the outside, or be a center fielder safety. Has lots of experience, an intriguing skill set and potential to be a good nickel defender or starting free safety for several years.

Miles Killebrew, SS/LB, Southern Utah (6-foot-2, 217 pounds)

Probably a player that’s better suited as a linebacker than a safety. At his best coming downhill and laying down the wood on guys, an intimidating player with great size if kept as a safety. His issue is that he might be lacking the coverages skills for either safety or backer in the Broncos defense. A player some like a lot and could go higher than this.

Late-round 0ptions

Justin Simmons, FS, Boston College (6-foot-2, 202 pounds)

Not the most explosive or athletic, but a smart player with good size who’s no slug either. Simmons has some very good coverage skills and can be trusted with a single high safety role. His value as a backup with potential to be developed into a starter would make him an intriguing late-round pick. Was one of the leaders on the BC defense that was one of the nation’s best, his tape is very good, doesn’t make many mistakes. He’ll be overlooked due to his athleticism not being elite which limits his explosiveness and the number of flashy plays on tape, but has all the tools to succeed and be a high-level player.

Jayron Kearse, SS, Clemson (6-foot-4, 216 pounds)

A fascinating player, his size is unconventional for the position and also intriguing. He stands out instantly when you put on the tape due to his size and ability to move around few guys get you as excited when you see them in uniform on the first frame. His instincts were exposed toward the end of the season against the best opponents he faced. Struggled mightily in the two playoff games and his stocked plummeted from a potential top-50 pick to likely third-day selection. Could be a worthwhile reclamation project who has similar measurables to Bengals star safety George Iloka. Has the size and athleticism to come downhill and punish backs, but has also shown raw coverage ability to cover tight ends and bigger receivers. Size wise and given his tackling ability this could be another candidate at both strong safety and inside linebacker, but his instincts make him a big risk at either spot.

DeAndre Houston-Carson, FS, William & Mary (6-foot-1, 201 pounds)

The small-school product is a former corner who played the safety position for the first time this past season and was instantly one of the FCS’s best, creating 109 tackles, 4 picks, and 2 defensive touchdowns. Houston-Carson has the foot speed and athletic ability to cover lots of ground and be an effective center fielder. His past as a corner means he’s more comfortable than most covering in man or even having to match up with receivers in the slot. He showed some tackling potential at the FCS level, he’s reliable in that area but not explosive. With good size and cover skills he should become a contributor at the next level, if he can prove his tackling ability and instincts against the best of the best, the sky is the limit for this kid.

K.J. Dillon, FS, West Virginia (6-foot, 210 pounds)

Joseph’s teammate doesn’t have the same exciting flashes on tape, but he’s versatile and can assist in all phases of the game. Has the size and cover skills to play both safety positions, though he’s much more suited as a free safety where he can take advantage of his cover skills. Was at his best in the slot where he excelled covering short to intermediate routes and playing up against the line while being a factor against the run game. A steady player with lots of skills that could make him a starter at the next level or at the very least a nickel and dime package ace.

Kevin Byard, FS, Middle Tennessee (5-foot-11, 216 pounds)

Another small-school product who’s at his best away from the line of scrimmage, unlike some of these other guys. Probably the smallest of the group and might be the most limited athlete but a really smart player who’s a trusted last line of defense thanks to his high IQ. A reliable tackler with some ball-hawking skills and 19 career interceptions to prove it. Won’t be able to cover NFL speed one on one but could be an asset as a defensive quarterback in the backfield who’s going to limit teammates mistakes and make very few of his own. Has the potential to be a valuable contributor.

Deiondre’ Hall, CB/FS, Northern Iowa (6-foot-2, 199 pounds)

Hall was used most often as a tall press concern during his time at the FCS level. His lack of change of direction skills and top end speed/agility  should limit his fit in most schemes, but his ability should translate nicely to the free safety position. Hall was a consistent tackler in his last two season at UNI and has some ability to contribute as a special teamer as well. His ability as a center fielder-type free safety, who can help against the run makes him an appealing developmental project. He showed some great ball skill throughout his career and racked up 11 interceptions the last two seasons (6 last year).

Honorable Mention

Kevin Pierre-Louis, SS, Colorado State (6-foot-1, 215 pounds)

KPL is an exciting player to watch who punishes anyone who dares cross his path on the football field. The Broncos have been actively scouting Fort Collins the last few years and found some valuable contributors in Shaquille Barrett, Ty Sambrailo and potentially Kapri Bibbs, KPL could be the fourth of the bunch. For a more in depth look go to KPL’s scouting report on our CSU page.