Tag: Faion Hicks

Broncos CB Faion Hicks posts bond after arrest in Florida

Faion Hicks was cited for three offenses, including carrying a concealed firearm without a permit in FL. He posted bond and was released.

Denver Broncos cornerback Faion Hicks was arrested in Florida on Saturday, according to Morgan Whitley of KDVR. Hicks has since posted bond and has been released.

Hicks, 25, was pulled over near Hallandale Beach after “disobeying a stop sign,” according to police. In addition to the traffic violation, Hicks was also cited for having an expired driver’s license and for “carrying a concealed firearm without a permit.”

The most notable of those offenses was the concealed weapon without a permit, which is a third-degree felony.

Hicks was selected by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Wisconsin. He spent most of last season on Denver’s practice squad, appearing in two games last year. Hicks played 30 snaps on special teams in those two contests.

After his rookie season, Hicks signed a reserve/future contract with the Broncos and then returned to Florida, where he grew up. He is currently under contract for the 2023 season.

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Grading the Broncos’ 2022 draft class one year later

Do you agree with our early grade for the Broncos’ 2022 draft class?

As the 2023 NFL draft looms on the horizon, Broncos Wire is taking a look back at the Denver Broncos’ 2022 draft class. Who made a difference? Who do the Broncos need to see more from going forward?

Faion Hicks wants Jim Leonhard to coach Broncos’ defense

Broncos cornerback Faion Hicks would like to see Jim Leonhard become Denver’s defensive coordinator.

As the Denver Broncos continue the interview process to fill their open defensive coordinator position, cornerback Faion Hicks has made his recommendation known: Jim Leonhard.

Hicks took to social media earlier this week and tweeted, “Come to Denver @jimleonhard” in response to a tweet about Leonhard interviewing with the Philadelphia Eagles for their DC opening.

Hicks, who joined the Broncos as a seventh-round pick last April, played under Leonhard at Wisconsin from 2017-2021. When Hicks arrived at the school, Leonhard was serving as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. He was promoted to interim head coach last fall.

The Badgers named Luke Fickell their full-time head coach last October and Leonhard later announced he would be leaving the school after the 2022 season. He’s now a canidate to make a jump to the NFL, but a potential hip surgery might delay that possibility.

“Leonhard had planned to undergo hip surgery and sit out coaching for a year, but when Eagles job opened, both sides had interest in discussing the position, which they did last week,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday. “Ultimately, they decided it wasn’t the right time.”

It’s unclear if it’s not the right time for Leonhard just in Philadelphia, or if it’s not the right time to join any NFL team. There’s been no word yet on if he has finalized a decion on potentially taking a break from coaching in 2023.

Leonhard was a safety in the NFL from 2005-2014, playing for the Broncos in 2012. He totaled 431 tackles, 14 interceptions and 4.5 sacks before hanging up his cleats in 2015. Leonhard starting his coaching career as a defensive backs coach at Wisconsin, his alma mater, in 2016.

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Broncos sign 9 players to reserve/future contracts

The Broncos signed nine players to reserve/future contracts on Monday.

At the end of the regular season, players who are not on an active roster are allowed to sign a reserve/future contract with an NFL team. Every player on a practice squad at the end of the season is eligible to do so.

The players that sign reserve/future deals officially join their team’s 90-man offseason roster when the NFL’s new league year begins in March.

This year, the Denver Broncos signed nine members of their practice squad to reserve/future contracts. Here is the list:

  • WR Victor Bolden
  • G Parker Ferguson
  • CB Faion Hicks
  • CB Delonte Hood
  • DB Devon Key
  • RB Tyreik McAllister
  • OLB Wyatt Ray
  • OL Hunter Thedford
  • LB Ray Wilborn

Denver did not sign five other players.

Hicks (5-10, 192 pounds) is one of the most notable players on the list. He was selected by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Wisconsin. Hicks failed to make Denver’s 53-man roster as a rookie, but he was quickly added to the team’s practice squad.

Hicks was elevated to the game-day roster two times during his rookie season, playing 30 snaps on special teams.

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Broncos made several roster moves before Ravens game

The Broncos made a few roster moves before the Ravens game, including placing KJ Hamler on injured reserve.

The Denver Broncos made four roster moves ahead of Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Here’s a quick look at the team’s transactions.

Broncos made several roster moves before Panthers game

The Broncos are bringing in some reinforcements at RB, WR and CB for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

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The Denver Broncos have called up some reinforcements for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

First, the Broncos promoted running back Devine Ozigbo from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Denver had an open spot on the active roster so the team did not have to make a corresponding move to make room for Ozigbo, who will serve as the third-string RB behind Latavius Murray and Marlon Mack.

Second, the Broncos elevated cornerback Faion Hicks and wide receiver Brandon Johnson from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Week 12. Both players will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

With receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler and cornerback K’Waun Williams sidelined with injuries, Hicks and Johnson will give the team more depth at those two positions against the Panthers. Johnson caught one pass in his NFL debut last week.

Sunday’s game will begin at 11:00 a.m. MT on Fox (view the TV map).

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Broncos pleased with rookie CBs Damarri Mathis and Faion Hicks

“Both those guys have exceeded my expectations,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said of rookie CBs Damarri Mathis and Faion Hicks.

After letting Bryce Callahan and Kyle Fuller walk in free agency earlier this year, the Denver Broncos needed to add more depth at cornerback.

Denver found a Callahan replacement during free agency, signing veteran K’Waun Williams. Then the Broncos added more cornerback depth during the draft, selecting Damarri Mathis and Faion Hicks in the fourth and seventh-rounds, respectively.

Mathis and Hicks made their NFL debuts against the Dallas Cowboys in Denver’s preseason opener last week. Hicks got 48 snaps on defense and totaled two tackles. Mathis played 37 snaps on defense and recorded three tackles.

“Both those guys have exceeded my expectations,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said Wednesday. “Any time you have rookies coming in, you always have second guesses as a coach on how much they’re going to be able to contribute to your team.

“I think both those guys, both on special teams and defense, have shown that it’s not too big for them and they can compete at the highest level.”

Mathis was always likely to make the 53-man roster as a fourth-round pick, but Hicks was considered a bubble player going into training camp. If he continues playing well in preseason, Hicks might be able to win a spot on the active roster for the regular season.

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LOOK: Former Badgers in their new NFL numbers and uniforms

An early look at Badgers drafted in the 2022 NFL draft in their new NFL numbers and uniforms:

Over the last few weeks, several former Wisconsin Badgers have been getting comfortable with their new teams after being drafted in the 2022 NFL draft.

Although none of them have taken the field in their new uniforms, Wisconsin’s social media team took the time to photoshop the drafted players into their new threads with their new numbers.

It looks like every drafted Badger will be staying with their collegiate number, other than Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson who switched to No. 86 from No. 84. The Madison, Wis., native likely made the switch because No. 84 is currently held by Cowboys veteran TE Sean McKeon.

It is really cool to get an early look at these former Badgers in their new NFL uniforms, and it makes me excited to see what they can do on the field next season.

Broncos announce jersey numbers for 2022 draft class

Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike will wear No. 96, previously work by Shelby Harris in Denver.

Ahead of rookie minicamp this weekend, the Denver Broncos announced jersey numbers for their 2022 NFL draft class. Here’s the list, courtesy of the team’s official website:

OLB Nik Bonitto: No. 42

TE Greg Dulcich: No. 80

CB Damarri Mathis: No. 27

DE Eyioma Uwazurike: No. 96

S Delarrin Turner-Yell: No. 32

WR Montrell Washington: No. 12

C Luke Wattenberg: No. 60

DE Matt Henningsen: No. 91

CB Faion Hicks: No. 29

Uwazurike choosing to wear No. 96 is fitting given that he will be among the candidates to replace Shelby Harris, who wore No. 96 with the Broncos from 2017-2021. Harris was traded to the Seattle Seahawks as part of the trade for quarterback Russell Wilson earlier this offseason.

Denver is expected to sign 13 more undrafted rookie free agents, but the team will have to make some corresponding moves to make room for the UDFAs on the 90-man offseason roster. Those 13 signings will likely become official soon, followed by number announcements for those additional rookies.

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Broncos signing rookie CB Faion Hicks to 4-year contract

Broncos are giving rookie CB Faion Hicks a four-year, $3,779,700 contract, according to OverTheCap.

The Denver Broncos have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with rookie cornerback Faion Hicks, KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis first reported Wednesday. Hicks will now be signed through the 2025 season. He’s set to earn $3,779,700 over the next four years, according to OverTheCap.com, an average of $944,925 per season.

Hicks was selected by the Broncos in the seventh round of the NFL draft in April out of Wisconsin. He totaled 107 tackles, 16 pass breakups and one interception in four years (39 games) with the Badgers.

As a late-round pick, Hicks will face an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, especially considering how much depth Denver has at his position.

Pat Surtain, Ronald Darby and K’Waun Williams are the presumed candidates to serve as the Broncos’ top three cornerbacks this year. The list of players fighting for playing time behind that trio includes fourth-round pick Demarri Mathis, Michael Ojemudia, Bless Austin and Essang Bassey, among others.

Denver carried six CBs on its initial 53-man roster last year.

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