Oklahoma Sooners safety group stacked heading into 2024 spring ball

With their success on the recruiting trail since Brandon Hall’s arrival, Oklahoma’s safety group boasts great depth ahead of spring ball.

In the first couple of years of Brent Venables tenure with the Oklahoma Sooners, the safety position was one of the areas of the defense that lacked depth.

After [autotag]Delarrin Turner-Yell[/autotag] left for the NFL and [autotag]Patrick Field[/autotag]s for Stanford after the 2021 season, the Sooners were left with just two guys, [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] and [autotag]Key Lawrence[/autotag], that had played significant snaps for the Sooners. Both guys served as utility pieces, playing some corner during that 2021 season.

In 2022, safety was ravaged by injury early in the season, most evident in their blowout loss to TCU.

In 2023, the position had more depth with the All-American season from [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], the improved play from Key Lawrence, the emergence of [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag], and the additions of [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag] and [autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag].

The depth chart took a bit of a hit this offseason with the departures of Lawrence (Ole Miss) and Pearson (eligibility), but safety looks to be in great shape as the Sooners go through winter workouts.

Bowman is back for his fourth season, looking to build off of his incredible 2023. So are Bowen and Spears-Jennings, two guys who will vie for starter snaps in the secondary.

Oklahoma will get [autotag]Erik McCarty[/autotag] back after he took a redshirt year in 2023 after suffering an injury in the Oklahoma 4A state title game at the end of 2022.

The Sooners also welcomed a deep recruiting class at safety, welcoming [autotag]Reggie Powers[/autotag], Jaydan Hardy, [autotag]Michael Boganowski[/autotag], and [autotag]Mykel Patterson-McDonald[/autotag] to the program. It’s an incredibly fast and athletic group that adds more talent and playmaking ability to the roster as they head into the SEC.

By all accounts, the 2024 safety additions have been standouts of winter workouts with their athleticism and strength.

Those new additions will need to prove what they’re capable of this offseason, we’ve seen [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and [autotag]Brandon Hall[/autotag] utilize their young safeties.

Hall and Venables’ success on the recruiting trail has strengthened the safety group and it’s the deepest it has been in years.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Broncos to face NFL’s 13th-easiest strength of schedule in 2024

The Broncos are set to face the NFL’s 13th-easiest strength of schedule in 2024 (.495).

We don’t know dates and times for the Denver Broncos’ 2024 schedule yet (that will be announced in May), but we do know all of the team’s 2024 opponents.

Based on records from the 2023 season, the Broncos will face the 13th-easiest strength of schedule in 2024 (.495). The Los Angeles Chargers (.478) are the only team in the AFC West with an easier SOS (sixth). 

Elsewhere in the division, the Kansas City Chiefs (.502) have the 16th-easiest SOS. The Las Vegas Raiders (.512) will face the NFL’s eighth-hardest SOS in 2024. 

The toughest opponents on Denver’s 2024 schedule based on 2023 records are the Baltimore Ravens (13-4), Cleveland Browns (11-6) and Chiefs (11-6).

Last year, the Broncos had the 12th-hardest strength of schedule (.517) and the team went 8-9. Denver will aim to improve on that record in 2024 when the club faces a schedule that looks easier on paper than last year’s slate.

Here’s a look at every team’s SOS for the upcoming season.

Broncos made 5 roster moves ahead of 2023 season finale

Broncos placed Mike McGlinchey and Delarrin Turner-Yell on IR, activated Alex Palczewski from IR, promoted Art Green and elevated Devon Key.

The Denver Broncos made five roster moves this week ahead of Sunday’s season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.

First, the Broncos placed safety Delarrin Turner-Yell on injured reserve after he tore his ACL against the Los Angeles Chargers. To provide more depth at safety after losing Turner-Yell, Denver elevated defensive back Devon Key from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday afternoon.

Additionally, the Broncos placed right tackle Mike McGlinchey (ribs) on injured reserve. McGlinchey was ruled out on Friday. Denver is now set to start Cam Fleming at right tackle in Week 18.

To fill the two spots on the 53-man roster from Turner-Yell and McGlinchey going on IR, the Broncos promoted cornerback Art Green from the practice squad and elevated offensive tackle Alex Palczewski from injured reserve.

Key was a game-day roster elevation — Green and Palczewski were fully promoted to the 53-man roster. See the team’s roster moves below.

Broncos injury updates: Delarrin Turner-Yell to IR; Mike McGlinchey outlook ‘more optimistic’

The Broncos will place DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) on injured reserve. RT Mike McGlinchey (ribs) has a more optimistic outlook.

The Denver Broncos lost backup safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) and right tackle Mike McGlinchey (ribs) to injuries during Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

After the game, Broncos coach Sean Payton said that he believed McGlinchey would be “fine.” One day later, the coach revealed that Turner-Yell suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

“Tight now, Mike’s news is better,” Payton said during his conference call with reporters Monday. “Delarrin Turner-Yell has an ACL. He’s going to be out and put on IR. Mike’s [injury] is a rib. I won’t get into the details, but we’re a lot more optimistic about him.”

Cam Fleming filled in for McGlinchey against the Chargers. Yell has played 71% of Denver’s special teams snaps this season. The Broncos will have to sort out a special teams replacement and their safety depth ahead of Sunday’s season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.

After releasing Kareem Jackson last week and losing Turner-Yell on Sunday, Denver’s only remaining backup safety on the active roster is rookie JL Skinner, who has dressed for just one game this season.

The Broncos also have Devon Key and Keidron Smith available on the practice squad. It would not be surprising to see Key or Smith called up to the active roster for Week 18.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Broncos’ updated safety depth chart without Kareem Jackson

Here’s a look at our projected safety depth chart for the Broncos following Kareem Jackson’s suspension.

After the NFL gave Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson a four-game suspension on Monday, the team’s safety depth will be tested.

Caden Sterns, who began the season listed as a co-starter with Jackson on the depth chart, will miss the rest of the 2023 season on injured reserve.

That leaves P.J. Locke as the top candidate to start in Jackson’s strong safety position across from free safety Justin Simmons over the next four* games. (*Jackson’s suspension could be reduced after appeal).

Behind Locke is Delarrin Turner-Yell, who started two games earlier this year while Simmons, Sterns and Locke were all injured.

Rounding out the team’s active roster safety depth chart is rookie JL Skinner, who has been inactive for all seven games this season. Skinner was picked by Denver in the sixth round of the NFL draft in April.

The Broncos also have Devon Key available on the practice squad. Jackson will not count against the 53-man roster during his suspension, so the Broncos might add a safety to the active roster in the coming days.

Safeties bring the most depth to the Oklahoma Sooners’ roster

Heading into 2023, the safety position arguably has the most depth of any other on the Sooners roster.

Last season the safety position was filled with inexperience. [autotag]Patrick Fields[/autotag] and [autotag]Delarrin Turner-Yell[/autotag] were gone after starting the previous three seasons.

Billy Bowman played some in a rotational role as a true freshman, but it has been a rocky couple of years in Norman. [autotag]Justin Broiles[/autotag] and [autotag]Key Lawrence[/autotag] had experience but were mainly role players.

This upcoming season the safety position arguably has the most depth of any on the Sooners’ roster. Lawrence and Bowman are back. They then added [autotag]Reggie Pearson Jr.[/autotag] who started at Texas Tech.

[autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] is also back this year after playing some as a true freshman last season. He’s been injured this offseason but is expected to be good to go by the start of the regular season.

Then the Sooners added five-star [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag]. If you read our article on the five freshmen who could make an immediate impact, you’ll see why he will factor into the safety room.

All in all, this room is the one with a ton of depth and talent. It could be the best position group on the team. The secondary as a whole could be very good in 2023.

Now, they’ll only be as good as their pass rush allows them to be. If the Sooners don’t get pressure on the quarterback, you could put Deion Sanders back there, and it won’t matter. Given enough time, wide receivers get open.

They have to work together as a team but if they do, this defense should see a ton of improvement in 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1366]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Broncos position preview for 2023: Safety

The Broncos have excellent depth at safety going into the summer. Denver will have to make some tough decisions at the position this year.

After using a sixth-round pick to select JL Skinner in April’s draft, the Denver Broncos now have six safeties on the 90-man offseason roster: Justin Simmons, Caden Sterns, Kareem Jackson, P.J. Locke, Delarrin Turner-Yell and Skinner.

Jackson re-signed with the team after the draft and while he has started 61 games over the last four seasons, the veteran won’t be a lock to start across from Simmons again in 2023.

Instead, we currently have Sterns projected as the team’s starting strong safety across from free safety Simmons. Jackson will provide leadership and depth in the secondary while likely serving in a rotational role.

Behind them, Locke is entering his fourth season, Turner-Yell is entering his second season and Skinner is approaching his rookie campaign. It’s hard to imagine the Broncos carrying six safeties on the finalized 53-man roster, so the team will have to make some tough decisions this summer.

Broncos Safety Depth Chart

Broncos’ updated safety depth chart after the NFL draft

After drafting JL Skinner and re-signing Kareem Jackson, the Broncos have a very crowded safety depth chart.

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

FS SS Depth
Justin Simmons Caden Sterns Devon Key
P.J. Locke Kareem Jackson Devon Matthews
Delarrin Turner-Yell JL Skinner

After selecting a safety in the NFL draft and then re-signing Kareem Jackson, the Denver Broncos have an extremely crowded safety depth chart going into organized team activities this month.

Justin Simmons returns as the team’s star safety and, at the moment, Caden Sterns seems to be the favorite to start across from Simmons with Jackson providing rotational depth and experienced leadership.

Behind them, P.J. Locke returns after showing promise last year and Delarrin Turner-Yell, a fifth-round pick in 2022, is back as well. JL Skinner is probably a lock to make the team, but he’s extremely unlikely to start as a rookie.

Devon Key could be a wildcard to keep an eye on. He joined the team’s practice squad last December and it’s unclear if the Broncos plan to use him primarily as a safety or as a cornerback. Perhaps a hybrid nickelback role is in store for the versatile defensive back.

Denver also signed Devon Matthews as an undrafted free agent this spring. He will likely be competing for a spot on the practice squad. Update: Matthews apparently did not sign

The Broncos carried five safeties on their initial 53-man roster last year and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them carry at least that many again in 2023. Denver might also consider trading away a safety given how much depth they have at the position going into the summer.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Marvin Mims excited to reunite with 2 college teammates in Denver

The Broncos have five Sooners on the roster this offseason: Marvin Mims, Nik Bonitto, Delarrin Turner-Yell, Samaje Perine and Ben Powers.

When Marvin Mims arrives at the Denver Broncos’ facility for the start of organized team activities, he will be met by two familiar faces.

Mims (2020-2022) played at Oklahoma with Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto (2018-2021) and Denver safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (2018-2021) for two seasons with the Sooners.

“It’s really exciting,” Mims said of reuniting with his former college teammates in the NFL. “OU is a huge brotherhood, so just being able to play with those two again — I played with them for two years. I just talked Turner-Yell not too long ago at the spring game.”

Mims also knows Broncos running back Samaje Perine, who played at Oklahoma from 2014-2016.

“Just being able to reconnect with those guys — I’m also really close with Samaje Perine and his family — being there with them, it’ll be great,” Mims said. “I’m excited and looking forward to it.”

Denver guard Ben Powers also played at Oklahoma from 2016-2018, overlapping with each of Perine, Bonitto and Turner-Yell for one season. There will be five Sooners in the Broncos’ locker room this summer, marking the highest number of players from the same school on Denver’s roster in 2023.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Marvin Mims headed to the Denver Broncos in the 2023 NFL Draft

With the 63rd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos add an elite offensive weapon, selecting Oklahoma Sooners WR Marvin Mims.

Marvin Mims is the second Sooner to be selected in the 2023 NFL draft. He went at the end of the second round with pick 63 to the Denver Broncos.

The Sooners wide receiver will be a fantastic target for Russell Wilson in the Denver Broncos passing game. He should be used in a variety of ways, with Sean Payton being the offensive mastermind that he is.

Mims jumps off the screen due to his blazing speed. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. He’s an incredible athlete for the receiver position. With fantastic speed, great hands, and plus athleticism, Marvin Mims is a player that will provide an instant impact in the Broncos offense.

He’s 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds. He’s got experience playing both on the outside and in the slot. Given his frame, perhaps more of a role in the slot would make sense in the short term as he adjusts to the physicality of NFL corners playing press-man coverage.

Mims had 123 receptions, 2,398 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns in his three years at Oklahoma. He led the Sooners in receiving yards in each of his three seasons. In 2022, he had his first 1,000-yard season for Oklahoma after considering transferring during the coaching change in the winter of 2021.

In the Mile High City, Mims will reunite with former Sooners’ teammates [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag] and [autotag]Delarrin Turner-Yell[/autotag]. Also in Denver are Sooners that came before Mims including [autotag]Samaje Perine[/autotag] and [autotag]Ben Powers[/autotag].

Denver is a great fit for Mims with Sean Payton at the helm of the offense and Russell Wilson’s ability to air it out. Payton will move him around to find different mismatches he can offer on offense. With Mims’ experience returning punts, he’ll have a chance to play on special teams early in his NFL career.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1366]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jake on Twitter @jake_faigus