Tag: JL Skinner

Broncos drafted/signed 3 players from last year’s Senior Bowl

The Broncos drafted/signed three players from 2023 Senior Bowl: CB Riley Moss (3rd round), DB JL Skinner (5th) and OLB Thomas Incoom (UDFA).

The 2024 Senior Bowl will be played at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama later today.

The Denver Broncos will have scouts and coaches in attendance, including quality control coaches Logan Kilgore (National Team) and Zack Grossi (American Team) serving as tight end coaches for the all-star game.

In addition to the notable quarterbacks, the Broncos will be scouting players at every position in Mobile, including mid- and late-round prospects. Last year, Denver drafted two Senior Bowl participants and signed a third player as an undrafted free agent.

The Broncos used a third-round pick to select Iowa cornerback Riley Moss and a sixth-round pick to select Boise State safety JL Skinner. After the draft, Denver signed Central Michigan pass rusher Thomas Incoom as a college free agent.

Admittedly, the trio had forgettable rookie seasons in 2023. Moss was sidelined by core muscle surgery in August. Once he recovered, the cornerback failed to make an impact on defense, earning just 23 snaps.

Skinner only appeared in two games, getting one snap on defense and nine snaps on special teams. Incoom dressed for four games as a rookie and played 20 snaps on defense.

Last year’s class of Senior Bowl additions was underwhelming for the Broncos, but those three players will aim to make a bigger impact in Year 2.

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.

1 rookie draft pick for each team we’re excited to watch in preseason openers

The NFL preseason fires up this weekend. Here’s one draft pick from each team that Draft Wire’s Jeff Risdon is excited to watch.

The NFL preseason kicks into gear this weekend. Between Thursday and Sunday, all 32 NFL teams will have played their exhibition season opener.

It’s the first chance to unleash the rookie draft class against another team. Whether it’s a top pick or a late-round sleeper who has excelled in camp, there are many rookie storylines to watch in each matchup.

Of course, the Browns and Jets already played in the Hall of Fame exhibition last week. In that matchup, we got to see promising fifth-round QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson stand out for the Browns and second-round C Joe Tippman play well for New York in their debuts.

Who will join them as standout rookies in their preseason debuts? Here is one intriguing candidate from each team.

Broncos roster series: No. 46, safety JL Skinner

JL Skinner aims to fully recover from a pec injury so he can compete for a spot in the Broncos’ secondary this summer.

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Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie safety JL Skinner, No. 46.

Before the Broncos: Skinner played college football at Boise State, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2022 after receiving second-team all-conference recognition in 2021. In four years (38 games) with college football’s Broncos, Skinner totaled 208 tackles (9.5 behind the line), 12 pass breakups, seven interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He received invites to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl this spring, but Skinner was not able to participate in the NFL combine after suffering a pectoral injury.

Broncos tenure: That pec injury might have been part of the reason why Skinner fell to the sixth round of the NFL draft in April. Denver did not allow Skinner to fall any further than that, selecting the safety with the 183rd overall pick.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: Skinner’s odds of spending his rookie season on the active roster might depend on his health. Last year, the Broncos essentially gave pass rusher Christopher Allen a “redshirt” rookie season by placing him on injured reserve. With plenty of depth at safety, Denver might consider having Skinner spend his first year on IR as well. If Skinner is healthy, though, he’ll get a chance to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster this summer.

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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 like JL Skinner’s size and physicality at safety

Broncos GM George Paton said JL Skinner’s size and physicality stood out when the team studied his college film.

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The Denver Broncos might have found a sixth-round gem in Boise State safety JL Skinner during last month’s NFL draft.

Some pre-draft projections had Skinner going off the board as early as the third round, but Skinner’s stock fell after he tore a pectoral muscle this spring.

“We liked him throughout the process,” general manager George Paton said after the draft. “The first thing you see is the size. He’s almost 6-4. Then the athletic ability for that size. We thought was unique. The short-area quickness, the range and you see the ball skills on tape. The thing that really sticks out is his physicality and playing downhill the run game. You see that all over the tape. He’s a fun watch.”

The Broncos believe Skinner’s pec injury was part of the reason the safety was available in the sixth round.

“Sean [Payton] and I have watched a lot of tape on him, and he’s a fun watch,” Paton said. “I think the injury did impact where he was drafted. We felt very fortunate to get him where we did.”

Playing for college football’s Broncos, Skinner totaled 65 tackles, five pass breakups and four interceptions in 12 games last fall. He is unlikely to start as a rookie given Denver’s depth at safety, but Skinner projects as an eventual starting-caliber safety for the Broncos.

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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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Broncos signing safety JL Skinner to 4-year rookie contract

The Broncos have agreed to terms on a 4-year contract with safety JL Skinner. Spotrac estimates it will be worth just over $4 million.

The Denver Broncos have agreed to terms on a four-year rookie contract with safety JL Skinner, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Skinner, who was picked by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft (183rd overall), is now under contract through the 2026 season.

Based on the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with players, Spotrac.com estimates that Skinner will receive $4,036,219 over four years. With an estimated $196,219 signing bonus and a $750,000 base salary, Skinner is projected to have a total salary cap hit of $799,055 in 2023.

A hard-hitting safety, Skinner has the potential to eventually emerge as a starter in Denver’s secondary, but he will likely contribute primarily on special teams as a rookie. Right now, Caden Sterns appears to be the favorite to start across from Justin Simmons as a strong safety this fall.

While he waits for the possibility of earning more playing time on defense, Skinner can make an immediate impact on special teams in 2023.

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Broncos’ drafted rookies pick jersey numbers

Broncos rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims has picked jersey No. 83.

The Denver Broncos announced jersey numbers for their five-player draft class on Thursday.

Here they are:

37 CB Riley Moss
41 LB Drew Sanders
46 DB JL Skinner
76 OL Alex Forsyth
83 WR Marvin Mims

Keep in mind that these numbers are subject to change, and some of them likely will change when Denver reduces the roster from 90 players down to 53 players later this summer.

The Broncos have not yet officially announced their undrafted free agent signings. Once those UDFA deals become official, those rookie jersey numbers will be announced as well.

Denver previously announced jersey numbers for veteran additions:

4 QB Jarrett Stidham
11 WR Marquez Callaway
17 WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
19 P Riley Dixon
20 FB Michael Burton
23 CB Tremon Smith
25 RB Samaje Perine
26 RB Tony Jones Jr.
55 C Kyle Fuller
69 T Mike McGlinchey
70 T Isaiah Prince
74 G Ben Powers
82 TE Adam Trautman
84 TE Chris Manhertz
90 DL Jordan Jackson
99 DE Zach Allen

Defensive lineman D.J. Jones (from 97 to 92) and quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (from 11 to 16) previously changed their numbers as well.

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JL Skinner can play deep or in the box with Broncos

Broncos rookie safety JL Skinner can play deep or down near the box. “I have experience doing both,” the defensive back said.

The Denver Broncos added depth to their secondary in the sixth round of the NFL draft last month when they picked Boise State safety JL Skinner.

Skinner (6-4, 209 pounds) looks like a potential future Kareem Jackson replacement both on film and on paper. Jackon is a hard-hitting safety who often plays down closer to the box while Justin Simmons plays deeper in the secondary as a free safety.

Skinner might one day become a candidate to start at strong safety for Denver, and he’s open to playing anywhere in the secondary.

“At my school, we did a lot of both,” Skinner said after being picked by the Broncos when asked if he plays deep or down near the box. “I have experience doing both, so I’d say I do a lot of work down by the box.

“My school had me rotating down in a box a lot, so just depending on those situations and what the Denver Broncos want me to do, I’m able to do both. I feel very experienced deep in the post and down [in the box].”

After the Broncos re-signed Jackson, Skinner seems very unlikely to start as a rookie. He’s not even a lock to serve as the fourth-string safety this fall given that at least Simmons, Caden Sterns and Jackson are likely above him on the depth chart. P.J. Locke and Delarrin Turner-Yell might have an edge over Skinner at the moment as well.

With a deep safety depth chart, Skinner will face tough competition for playing time in 2023, but he’s a versatile rookie with a promising future outlook and the ability to emerge as a SS or FS.

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