If you have been paying any attention to the latest reports coming out of Broncos training camp, you would know this secondary possesses a rare level of both talent and depth.
The cornerback room looks like it goes at least four players deep, with Patrick Surtain II already surpassing expectations. Some might even say it goes five players deep, as Michael Ojemudia has looked like a much-improved player as well.
The Broncos are equally deep at safety.
The starting safety duo of Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson is remarkable, as the two have the perfect blend of talents to thrive in Fangio’s system — which is especially demanding of its safeties.
Denver also drafted two highly thought-of safeties in Jamar Johnson and Caden Sterns — who has already started to turn heads.
They are also bringing back additional talent in P.J. Locke and Trey Marshall, both of whom have a shot at making the final roster.
According to Pro Football Focus, all that talent is enough for the Broncos to be the best secondary in all of football.
“No team improved its secondary more than the Broncos this offseason,” Ben Linsey wrote, while justifying his ranking of Denver’s secondary as the league’s top coverage unit. “Last year, third-round rookie Michael Ojemudia, an injured A.J. Bouye and Bryce Callahan — who played out of his natural slot position — were the team’s top three outside cornerbacks. Denver now has the luxury of deciding which of Kyle Fuller, Ronald Darby or top-10 pick Patrick Surtain II will start the season on the bench due to Callahan likely moving back inside.”
What a luxury that is.
Fuller was an All-Pro the last time he played with Fangio and has continued to play well since the former Chicago defensive coordinator left to become Denver’s head coach.
On top of Fuller and Surtain, Callahan played at an All-Pro level last season when healthy, despite playing out of position. He was the only cornerback with at least 500 snaps played to not surrender a touchdown, and he was one of only three to not be called for a penalty.
Darby is no slouch either, coming off a career and earning an expensive contract in the process.
Linsey also notes Denver’s talent at safety.
“The Broncos also have a case for fielding the league’s best safety tandem,” Linsey wrote. “Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson rank second and sixth, respectively, in PFF’s Wins Above Replacement metric since the start of the 2019 season.”
It’s exciting to think about just how close the 2021 Broncos secondary could be in talent to the legendary unit from six years ago.