Broncos coach Vic Fangio is bringing a new defense to Denver, one that will put the team’s defensive backs in positions to make plays. The Broncos have several versatile players in their secondary, which will allow Fangio to move them around and confuse offenses.
“You look at guys like Will [Parks], Su [Cravens], Jamal [Carter] — all three of those guys are able to play that dime backer/safety, even sometimes move out to a little bit of a nickel,” safety Justin Simmons said after practice on May 23. “That’s what I love about the secondary, I feel like we’re all versatile. At the safety position for sure and then you look at Bryce [Callahan]. A stellar year last year at the nickel spot.
“Obviously, [he] can play corner. We look at Chris [Harris Jr.], the best nickel there is. Kareem, I just talked about him, safety, nickel, corner, whatever it is. With Jamal coming back it just adds more depth. I’m no D.C., but it just gives you more free range of being able to have guys out there that. Like I said, in a pass-happy league, being able to run when they need to but pass when they need to.”
Perhaps the most important versatile piece of Denver’s secondary this season will be Jackson. He’s been practicing as a safety this spring but — as Simmons noted — he can also play cornerback and nickel back. The Broncos will likely move Jackson around week-to-week depending on how he best matches up against the offense Denver is facing.
In the Broncos’ base 3-4 defense, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Simmons and Jackson emerge as the team’s two starting safeties.
