Tag: Devon Key

5 notes and takeaways from the Broncos’ first preseason game

The Broncos defeated the Colts in their preseason opener on Sunday. Here are five takeaways from the victory.

The Denver Broncos defeated the Indianapolis Colts 34-30 in their preseason opener at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday. Here are five quick takeaways from the victory.

1. Personnel notes: Eleven players sat out, including seven injured players. Broncos safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) sat out injured and cornerback Pat Surtain and defensive linemen John Franklin-Myers and Zach Allen were rested. Devon Key started at safety across from P.J. Locke and Angelo Blackson and D.J. Jones started on the defensive line.

With Surtain not suiting up and Levi Wallace (hamstring) injured, the Broncos started Riley Moss and Damarri Mathis at cornerback. At inside linebacker, Cody Barton started next to Alex Singleton. Tremon Smith lined up as a punt returner and he also got reps as a kickoff returner alongside Jaleel McLaughlin.

2. Jarrett Stidham was let down by his teammates: Stidham’s first drive stalled after false start penalties by receiver Courtland Sutton and tackle Mike McGlinchey, and a taunting penalty from receiver Tim Patrick. Stidham’s second drive ended with an interception that wasn’t his fault (more on that shortly). Stidham finished the game 4-of-7 passing for 37 yards. He didn’t lead any scoring drives, but the blame for that falls mostly on his teammates.

3. Denver’s backfield remains crowded: Javonte Williams got four carries and Jaleel McLaughlin got nine touches. They are seemingly both locks. Audric Estime, a fifth-round pick in April, is probably safe, too. Estime rushed 10 times for 31 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for 13 yards. Blake Watson turned nine carries into 26 yards and a touchdown and even Tyler Badie got in on the action with two carries for 13 yards and a score. The team’s only running back to not get a carry might be in jeopardy…

4. Samaje Perine’s stock is falling: Perine is Denver’s best receiving back, but he mishandled his lone target on Sunday, leading to an interception that was credited to Stidham. The pass was accurate, but Perine bobbled it and bounced it into the air. Perine will turn 29 years old next month and the Broncos would save $3 million if he’s released this summer. If he does not stand out as the best receiving and blocking back in preseason, Perine might be in danger of not making the 53-man roster.

5. Bo Nix finished well after a shaky start: Nix, of course, is the big storyline. His overall performance was encouraging, but Nix did have some rookie moments early in the game. He started with two incompletions (including one that could have been intercepted) and he also mishandled a snap. Fortunately, Nix’s struggles ended there. The rookie quarterback finished the game 15-of-21 passing for 125 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers. Nix also showed off his mobility, rushing three times for 17 yards. The offensive line also kept Nix — and all three QBs — upright as the Broncos did not give up any sacks. Overall, it was a strong showing for Nix, albeit mostly against backup defenders. Nix is now set to start against the Green Bay Packers next week. Green Bay is expected to rest most of their defensive starters, but Nix will face starters when the Broncos host the Packers for a joint practice on Friday.

After hosting Green Bay, Denver will close out preseason against the Arizona Cardinals. Then it’s on to the regular season. The Broncos are scheduled to go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.

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Broncos roster series: No. 26, DB Devon Key

Entering his fourth season in the NFL, Devon Key will attempt to make a Week 1 53-man roster for the first time in his career.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fourth-year defensive back Devon Key, No. 26 (formerly No. 38).

Before the Broncos: Key (6-0, 208 pounds) entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Western Kentucky with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021. After spending his rookie season on KC’s practice squad, Key had a short stint on the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons in 2022.

Broncos tenure: Key was waived by the Falcons one week after they signed him, and Denver then signed the safety to its own practice squad in 2022. He has spent most of the last two seasons on the Broncos’ reserve squad. Key was elevated to the game-day roster for Denver’s 2023 season finale and played 13 snaps on special teams.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Low. Competing for a spot in a crowded secondary, Key will face long odds to make the active roster. He is likely a candidate to once again have a role on the practice squad.

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Broncos sign 12 players to reserve/future contract

The Broncos signed 12 players to reserve/future contracts on Monday. They will officially join the 90-man offseason roster in March.

Following the conclusion of their 2023 season, the Denver Broncos have signed 12 players to reserve/future contracts.

Perhaps the most notable signing is that of quarterback Ben DiNucci, who spent all of the 2023 season on the practice squad and was elevated to Denver’s game-day roster three times.

With Russell Wilson expected to be released in March, DiNucci and Jarrett Stidham will be left as the Broncos’ two quarterbacks going into 2024. Denver will likely add at least one more QB, either through free agency or the draft (or both) this spring.

Players who were not on an active roster at the end of the season are eligible to sign reserve/future contracts (every player on the practice squad is eligible, for example). These players will officially join the 90-man offseason roster when the NFL’s new league year begins on March 13.

Here’s a look at the 12 players the Broncos have signed to future deals.

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’ 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.

8 Broncos players have changed their jersey numbers

If KJ Hamler returns to the Broncos later this year, he will need a new jersey number: CB Tremon Smith has switched to No. 1.

Several Denver Broncos changed their jersey numbers on Monday.

Punter Riley Dixon, who wore No. 19 in preseason, switched to No. 9. Broncos receiver Marvin Mims, who wore No. 83 in preseason, then switched to No. 19.

Cornerback Tremon Smith also switched to No. 1 after wearing No. 23 in preseason. Cornerback Fabian Moreau, who wore No. 36 this summer, then switched to No. 23 (running back Tyler Badie remains No. 36).

Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, who previously wore No. 35, now wears No. 29. Defensive back Devon Key, who wore No. 38 in preseason, now wears No. 26 (running back Jaleel McLaughlin still wears No. 38).

Quarterback Ben DiNucci, who wore No. 6 this summer, now wears No. 11 (safety P.J. Locke still wears No. 6).

No. 1: CB Tremon Smith (previously 23)
No. 9: P Riley Dixon (previously 19)
No. 11: QB Ben DiNucci (previously 6)
No. 12: WR Tim Patrick (previously 81) [injured reserve]
No. 19: WR Marvin Mims (previously 83)
No. 23: CB Fabian Moreau (previously 36)
No. 26: DB Devon Key (previously 38)
No. 29: CB Ja’Quan McMillian (previously 35)

New practice squad players also received their numbers: WR Phillip Dorsett (No. 13), ILB Ben Niemann (No. 57), TE Lucas Krull (No. 85) and WR David Sills (No. 87).

Additionally, defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster is wearing No. 96. That’s not a new change — Lancaster switched from No. 62 to No. 96 after defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike was suspended indefinitely for gambling.

During the offseason, players are allowed to share numbers if they play on different sides of the ball (such as McLaughlin and Key both wearing No. 38 in preseason). With the regular season now right around the corner, though, numbers 0-99 can only be worn once on the 53-man roster and 17-player practice squad.

The Broncos are considered 4-point favorites against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1. View the team’s full regular season schedule here.

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Broncos roster series: No. 38, DB Devon Key

Devon Key spent the last two years on the practice squads of the Chiefs, Falcons and Broncos. Now he’ll try to win an active roster spot.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at first-year defensive back Devon Key, No. 38. (During the offseason, players can share a jersey number if they play on different sides of the ball. McLaughlin will wear No. 38 on offense this summer.)

Before the Broncos: Key (6-0, 208 pounds) played college football at Western Kentucky, earning All-Conference USA honors as a senior in 2020. He started 49 of a possible 50 games in four seasons with the Hilltoppers, totaling 350 tackles, a school record in their FBS era. The safety went undrafted in 2021 and joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a college free agent.

After spending his rookie season on KC’s practice squad, Key spent part of the 2022 season on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Key to its own practice squad last December. He is yet to appear in any regular-season games and is considered a “first-year” player because he does not have an accrued season.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: The Broncos have a lot of talented options at cornerback and a deep safety room, so it will be difficult for Key to make the active roster as a defensive back. He might be a top choice for the practice squad, though.

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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.

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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.

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Steve Spagnuolo, Andy Reid praise Brett Veach for finding Chiefs DB Devon Key

Steve Spagnuolo and Andy Reid gave props to #Chiefs GM Brett Veach for his latest undrafted free agent find in DB Devon Key.

The Kansas City Chiefs don’t tend to put a whole lot of stock into draft status — if you can play, you can play.

It’s why so many undrafted free agents have made this team during seven seasons. Guys like Daniel Sorensen, Darrel Williams, Tershawn Wharton, and Tommy Townsend all began their careers as undrafted free agents and all had an opportunity to impress the coaching staff in Kansas City.

The latest undrafted free agent making an impression is defensive back Devon Key. The former Western Kentucky Hilltopper has picked up the defensive scheme quickly. As a result, the coaching staff has thrown him to the wolves, allowing him repetitions with the first-team defense in their dime sub-package.

When asked about Key, Steve Spagnuolo gave props to general manager Brett Veach, who has a recent knack for finding undrafted talent who are ready to contribute.

“I’ll tell you what, Devon Key, I think Brett Veach and his guys did an excellent job identifying him—he’s an undrafted free agent,” Spags told reporters on Wednesday. “I think he’s an instinctive guy. He’s in tune to everything. We’ve got him playing a couple spots just to find out what he’s all about, and I’m really impressed right now. ”

Andy Reid echoed similar sentiments about the rookie, while also giving Veach credit for finding the talented young player.

“[Key is] real smart,” Reid said. “He’s done a nice job on the back end there kind of controlling things and making sure everybody is doing the right things. Then, he has enough skill there where he can go make some plays. Again, a good young player. A nice job by (Brett) Veach, make sure he gets the credit on that because he’s done a nice job.”

So what’s next for the undrafted rookie? Key has already done a lot to prove himself in practice, but the coaching staff wants to see it all come together in the preseason. If he can continue to impress against opponents who are also competing for a job, he’ll certainly have done enough to cement his position in Kansas City.

“We’ll see what he does in a game,” Spags said. “We preface all of these comments by the fact that we can’t do anything live really and it’s not a game, but right now I think he’s doing a nice job.”

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5 takeaways following Chiefs mandatory minicamp

Patrick Mahomes looking good? Offensive line depth tested? Standout rookies? That and more on the Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp.

The Kansas City Chiefs have broken the huddle for the last time until training camp begins in late July.

There are plenty of stories surrounding the team, with mounting pressure from back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. So how does the current iteration of the Chiefs stack up so far? They could be a lot worse off after a few weeks of what Steve Spagnuolo aptly refers to as “pajama practices.”

Here is a quick look at five takeaways following the conclusion of the Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp: