Tag: defensive back

Broncos worked out DB Christian Holmes on Monday

The Broncos brought in cornerback Christian Holmes for a workout on Monday.

The Denver Broncos brought in defensive back Christian Holmes for a workout on Monday, according to KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson.

Holmes (6-1, 205 pounds) entered the league as a seventh-round pick out of Oklahoma State with the Washington Commanders in 2022. He dressed for all 17 games as a rookie and started two contests, totaling 12 tackles and two fumble recoveries in his first season.

Last year, Holmes played in 13 games and recorded eight tackles and one pass breakup. He also played 607 snaps on special teams during his two-year stint with the Commanders.

The 26-year-old cornerback had a scary moment last December when he collapsed on the field after a play. Holmes was then carted off the field and quickly ruled out of the game with a concussion.

Holmes was cut by Washington on Aug. 5 and claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, who waived Holmes during final roster cuts on Aug. 25. He’s now getting a look in Denver.

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Former Chiefs defensive back credits Steve Spagnuolo for reviving his career

Former Kansas City #Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu credits Steve Spagnuolo for reviving his career | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV victory was a monumental moment in the franchise’s history, helping start the current dynasty. Many players from that season remain, while others have found new teams, but they still maintain respect and support for the coaching staff.

During a recent conversation with Sportscasting’s Kyle Odegard, former Chiefs Pro Bowl safety Tyrann Mathieu praised his experience with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

“Spags (Steve Spagnuolo) rejuvenated me, because there was three to four years where my coach wasn’t calling plays for me,” said Mathieu. “They didn’t think I could do that. He knew I could. He played a big part in my revival.”

Mathieu spent three seasons in Kansas City, earning Pro Bowl selections twice, first-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and second-team honors in 2019. He thanked Spagnuolo for allowing him the freedom to make plays during games.

“Every play that came into the huddle was, ‘Alright, Tyrann, what do you want to do: Play quarters, play half field, do you want to rob the middle?’ I had that freedom. I had the green dot to do what I wanted. That sh– helped me too.” said Mathieu. “So much of the game is psychological, man, mental, and that sh– was important for me. It was a few years before I went to work thinking, ‘This sh– is about to pop off like I’m about to make a play.’ That sh– helps you get out of bed every morning.”

Mathieu is entering his third season with the New Orleans Saints. He is still making plays and maintaining plenty of appreciation from the Chiefs fanbase.

Chiefs DB Kamal Hadden on returning from injury: ‘I feel like I am back’

Chiefs DB Kamal Hadden on returning from injury: ‘I feel like I am back’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ late-round selections in recent NFL Drafts have proven fruitful.

Chiefs rookie defensive back Kamal Hadden had his college career ended earlier than expected following a shoulder injury last fall. He addressed the status of his surgically repaired shoulder to reporters on Friday.

“I feel back when I feel like I’m back. “said Hadden. “It’s really good to be back on the field. I feel like I’m more faster, I feel like I’m stronger, and mainly, I feel like I’m smarter, so that just the game took me out, but it helped me grow mentally and helped me grow as a man and as a player.”

Hadden was a sixth-round selection in this year’s NFL Draft. He finished his last year at Tennessee with 19 tackles, three interceptions, and a touchdown in a shortened year. As training camp begins, he has developed a close connection with a Chiefs teammate.

“Me and Nic Jones are from Michigan, so I train with him a lot. And, just asking him questions every day when we train, bouncing things off of him while we are training, and asking him any little things to help me help a rookie come in,” said Hadden. “Because he was also a rookie, I just asked him little things like that every day while we trained. “

Harden will compete in camp to join the talented Chiefs’ defensive secondary unit.

Broncos roster series: No. 45 DB Omar Brown

Broncos rookie defensive back Omar Brown spent time at cornerback and safety in college, totaling 16 PBUs and 9 INTs in five seasons.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie safety Omar Brown, No. 45.

During the offseason, teammates can share jersey numbers if they play on opposite sides of the ball. This summer, Brown will share No. 45 with tight end Nate Adkins.

Before the Broncos: Brown (6-1, 200 pounds) spent three years at Northern Iowa, totaling 140 tackles, 13 pass breakups and eight interceptions in 29 games with college football’s Panthers. He then transferred to Nebraska ahead of the 2022 season. After a limited role in his first season, Brown emerged as a key player in 2023, recording 51 tackles, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery in 12 games.

A versatile defensive back, Brown received honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition in 2023. He spent time at both safety and cornerback in college.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Brown as an undrafted free agent this spring. He was one of the top UDFAs available following the 2024 NFL draft.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Longshot. The Broncos have a crowded safety depth chart, so Brown will likely be competing for a spot on the practice squad this summer.

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Broncos roster series: No. 43, DB Keidron Smith

Broncos second-year defensive back Keidron Smith spent time with two teams before landing in Denver last December.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year defensive back Keidron Smith, No. 43.

During the offseason, teammates can share jersey numbers if they play on opposite sides of the ball. This summer, Smith will share No. 43 with running back Blake Watson.

Before the Broncos: Smith (6-2, 210 pounds) spent four years at Ole Miss, totaling 216 tackles, 21 pass breakups, five interceptions, five forced fumbles and one sack in 47 games with the Rebels. Smith then transferred to Kentucky and recorded 46 tackles, five pass breakups, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 13 games. Coaches named him a second-team All-SEC defensive back following his final season in 2022.

Smith went undrafted last spring and signed with the Miami Dolphins. He later spent time on the practice squad of the Washington Commanders before being cut in October. Two months later, Smith committed to play in the XFL, but he got another opportunity in the NFL before officially joining the spring league.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Smith to its practice squad last December. He is yet to appear in a regular season game in the NFL. It remains to be seen if the Broncos plan to use him as a cornerback or safety.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Long shot. Smith will face an uphill make to make the active roster this summer. Perhaps a candidate to serve as a backup nickelback, Smith’s best chance to stick around in 2024 will likely be on the practice squad.

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Broncos roster series: No. 36, DB Quinton Newsome

Broncos rookie defensive back Quinton Newsome will aim to impress in a crowded secondary this summer.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie defensive back Quinton Newsome, No. 36.

During the offseason, teammates can share jersey numbers if they play on opposite sides of the ball. This summer, Newsome will share No. 36 with running back Tyler Badie.

Before the Broncos: Newsome (6-1, 185 pounds) played five years of college football at Nebraska, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2023 and 2022. In his final three seasons with the Cornhuskers, Newsome totaled 138 tackles, 17 pass breakups, three sacks and one interception. A converted safety, Newsome can play as a cornerback or nickelback.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Newsome as a college free agent in May. He’s set to compete for a spot on the roster during training camp and preseason this summer.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Long shot. The Broncos have more experienced options at cornerback and safety, so Newsome will likely be competing for a spot on the practice squad as a rookie.

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Broncos roster series: No. 35, CB Reese Taylor

After spending part of last season on the practice squad, Broncos cornerback Reese Taylor will aim to impress at training camp this summer.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year cornerback Reese Taylor, No. 35.

Before the Broncos: Taylor (5-9, 188 pounds) spent four seasons at Indiana before transferring to Purdue as a fifth-year senior in 2022. In four years with the Hoosiers, Taylor totaled 74 tackles, 11 pass breakups, two interceptions, two sacks and one forced fumble in 40 games. In his lone season with the Boilermakers, Taylor recorded 34 tackles, four pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery in 13 games.

Taylor signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2023 but failed to make their 53-man roster.

Broncos tenure: Taylor tried out for Denver last October. One month later, he signed with the practice squad. Taylor did not appear in any games as a rookie.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Long shot. Taylor is likely competing for a spot on the practice squad this summer. Anything can happen at training camp, but the 24-year-old cornerback is unlikely to make the active roster.

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Former Chiefs DB Steven Nelson announces retirement

Former Kansas City #Chiefs DB Steven Nelson announced his retirement after nine seasons in the NFL. | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have earned plenty of respect over the last few seasons for their Super Bowl titles and unrivaled success. Many players have helped build the foundation for the current success that just missed out.

Veteran NFL cornerback and former Chiefs starter Steven Nelson announced his retirement from the league on Sunday.

“Retirement, after thinking it over and having some talks with my family, I think it’s time for me to take a step back and spend more time with my family,” said Nelson during a phone interview with KPRC 2 in Houston. The 31-year-old has decided to call it a career after nine seasons.

In the 2015 draft class out of Oregon State, Nelson was the 14th cornerback selected, eventually going in the third round to Kansas City. During the first four seasons of his career, he played for the Chiefs, often as a starter in 38 of his 52 games. He tallied four interceptions and 182 tackles before leaving in free agency before the 2019 season.

“I think I’ll be remembered, mostly by my teammates, the guys that I played with and put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears with. as a leader and somebody that not only tries to lead by words but through my actions,” said Nelson. “Being a true pro and doing everything the right way.”

Nelson made stops with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the last two seasons with the Houston Texans. In 130 career games with 115 starts, he recorded 13 career interceptions, 87 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, one sack, and 456 total tackles.

Steve Wilson was the best player to wear No. 45 for the Broncos

Steve Wilson helped the Broncos reach two Super Bowls and he retired with the ninth-most interceptions (16) in franchise history.

Steve Wilson was the best player to ever wear jersey No. 45 for the Denver Broncos.

Wilson spent time at both a cornerback and safety, entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Howard with the Dallas Cowboys in 1979. After three seasons in Dallas, Wilson signed with the Broncos in 1982. He went on to play seven years in Denver, recording 16 interceptions, five fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns.

Wilson dressed for 92 games with the Broncos, earning 18 starts. He helped the team reach back-to-back Super Bowls in the late 1980s.

Former Denver linebacker Alexander Johnson also deserves a shout-out as an honorable mention. Johnson played for the Broncos from 2018-2021, recording 249 tackles, 11 quarterback hits, eight pass breakups, 4.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception in 38 games.

Wilson played three more seasons in Denver than Johnson and he started for the team in Super Bowl XXII. Wilson ranked ninth on the Broncos’ all-time interceptions list when he retired in 1989. He now ranks 16th.

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Penn State transfer DB King Mack announces transfer to Alabama

The Alabama secondary just got better. Penn State transfer defensive back King Mack announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide on (DAY).

The Alabama Crimson Tide added more talent to its secondary. Penn State transfer defensive back King Mack announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.

Mack, the former top-100 safety prospect, spent one season in Happy Valley. The Florida native recorded three tackles in 13 games played. The majority of his playing time was spent on the Nittany Lions special teams unit.

Mack will add depth and talent to Alabama’s secondary. Alabama lost a total of six safeties following the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season. The list includes Kristian Story, Caleb Downs, Jaylen Key (NFL), Jake Pope, Peyton Woodyard, and Tony Mitchell. Five of the six entered the transfer portal while Key is headed to the NFL.

Mack could see immediate playing time as Alabama is relatively thin in the secondary. It will be interesting to see what his role is on Kane Wommack’s defense next season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program and its involvement in the transfer portal.