Tag: JL Skinner

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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Broncos believe JL Skinner’s pre-draft injury made him fall to 6th round

“I don’t really consider a drop. I consider it me being placed into the correct hands,” Skinner said of falling to Denver in the 6th round.

The Denver Broncos used a sixth-round pick to select Boise State safety JL Skinner last month. Landing him that late in the draft could prove to be a steal.

Broncos general manager George Paton said the team liked Skinner’s size (6-4, 209 pounds) and physicality. Skinner stood out to Paton and head coach Sean Payton on film, but he fell in the draft due in part to a pectoral injury.

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

Even without participating in drills at the combine, Skinner was projected to be a third- or fourth-round pick by NFL.com. He instead slid to the sixth round — but Skinner believes it was meant to be.

“I tore my pec before the combine — about two days before the combine,” Skinner said. “That’s the reason why a drop may have happened, but I don’t really consider a drop. I consider it me being placed into the correct hands. The Denver Broncos are the correct hands for me and I’m excited to be out there.”

Skinner said he is ahead of schedule in his recovery and he expects to be fully cleared for football activity by minicamp in June.

“I’m running and doing everything right now — lifting and doing all that stuff,” Skinner said. “So, not too far. I’m about a month out from my full expected recovery to be fully cleared, but I’m back doing all my normal activities — my normal things every day. It’s been good.”

Skinner is expected to contribute primarily on special teams as a rookie while competing for rotational playing time in the secondary.

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2023 NFL Draft: The best draft steal for every NFL team

Every NFL draft has its selection of steals — those players who could surprise despite their low selections — and here’s one for every NFL team.

One of the many reasons the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII was the job that general manager Brett Veach did outside of the first round of the 2022 draft. Three defensive backs (Bryan Cook in the second round, Joshua Williams in the fourth, and Jaylen Watson in the seventh) were difference-makers all season, and seventh-round running back Isiah Pacheco became the team’s bellcow back down the stretch. Also, second-round receiver Skyy Moore joined Pacheco with touchdowns in that Super Bowl victory over the Eagles.

First-round hits are nice, but it’s almost worse to miss in the first round than it is better to win there from an opportunity cost perspective. If you want to refresh your roster at a championship level, you had better get those picks right on the second and third day. Veach and his staff did that, and it was the difference that made all the difference in the end.

Moving to the 2023 NFL draft, we’ve selected one second- or third-day pick for every NFL team who could have a similar impact on their NFL roaters sooner than mater. Each of these players have reasons for their relatively low picks in line with their tape, stats, and talent, but these are the kinds of finds that can turn a team around over time.

Check out these highlights of new Broncos safety JL Skinner

Despite being a sixth-round pick, JL Skinner looks like a potential future starter for the Broncos.

The Denver Broncos picked Boise State safety JL Skinner in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft last week.

Skinner (6-4, 209 pounds) was projected to be a third- or fourth-round pick by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, so landing him late in the draft could prove to be a big steal for the Broncos.

Skinner did not work out at the NFL combine after suffering a torn pectoral muscle, and that might have contributed to his fall in the draft.

Skinner, a hard-hitting safety, could prove to be especially useful for Denver in coverage against tight ends. He earned first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2022 after totaling 65 tackles, five pass breakups and four interceptions as a senior.

Here are Skinner’s highlights from his time with college football’s Broncos:

In Denver, Skinner will likely contribute primarily on special teams as a rookie while competing for rotational snaps in the secondary. He seems unlikely to start over Caden Sterns in Week 1, but Skinner has long-term starter upside.

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Broncos’ draft picks represent 7th-best value in 2023 class

The Broncos landed great value in Drew Sanders (projected 1st or 2nd), JL Skinner (projected 3rd or 4th) and Alex Forsyth (projected 5th).

The Denver Broncos only made five picks in the 2023 NFL draft last week, but they found great value with those selections (no pun intended).

The Broncos had the seventh-most valuable draft class this year, according to analysis from Warren Sharp of SharpFootballAnalysis.com.

The team’s biggest value picks seem to be Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders, Boise State safety JL Skinner and Oregon center Alex Forsyth.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein predicted Sanders would go off the board in the first or second round. Denver got him in the third. Zierlein had Skinner going in the third or fourth round (the Broncos got him in the sixth). The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had a fifth-round grade on Forsyth (an eventual seventh-round pick).

Denver did a good job getting the most out of its limited draft capital this year, and the team will return to having a more normal set of picks (including a first-round pick) in 2024.

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Broncos open to re-signing safety Kareem Jackson

“The talks are ongoing,” #Broncos GM George Paton said of safety Kareem Jackson. “We’re speaking with Kareem and his agent, so we’re open.”

Even after selecting two defensive backs in the NFL draft over the weekend, the Denver Broncos are still open to a potential reunion with veteran safety Kareem Jackson.

“We’re open with Kareem,” Broncos general manager George Paton said after the draft on Saturday evening. “The talks are ongoing. We’re speaking with Kareem and his agent, so we’re open.”

Jackson, 35, has spent the last four years in Denver as a starter across from Justin Simmons. If he re-signs with the Broncos, it would likely be a one-year deal to provide depth and leadership in the team’s secondary.

Right now, Caden Sterns appears poised to start at safety across from Simmons in 2023. Denver also picked Boise State safety JL Skinner in the sixth round of the draft over the weekend, but the team could still use more depth at the position.

Jackson is one of three notable in-house free agents who remain unsigned, joining running back Latavius Murray and backup swing tackle Cam Fleming. All three could be potential candidates to return.

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Denver Broncos 2023 NFL draft class: View the 5 new players

The Broncos added six players (five via picks and one via trade) during the NFL draft.

The Denver Broncos ended up with five picks in the 2023 NFL draft, along with a new tight end acquired in a trade. Broncos Country, meet the newest members of the team!

Broncos draft results: View each of the team’s 2023 draft picks

That’s a wrap on the 2023 NFL draft! Here’s a look at the Broncos’ picks.

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton have completed their first draft together, adding five players to the roster this weekend.

The Broncos entered the draft with five picks and after making several trades came away with five players. Here’s a look at the team’s picks from the 2023 NFL draft.

Broncos draft results:

Round 2: No. 63 overall: WR Marvin Mims, Oklahoma 
Round 3: No. 67 overall: LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
Round 3: No. 83 overall: CB Riley Moss, Iowa 
Round 6: No. 183 overall: DB JL Skinner, Boise State 
Round 7: No. 257 overall: C Alex Forsyth, Oregon
Trade: Tight end Adam Trautman via Saints 

Denver did not have first- or second-round picks going into this year’s draft after trades for quarterback Russell Wilson and coach Sean Payton (they then traded into the second round on Friday). Barring another trade, the Broncos will have a first-round pick in 2024 for the first time since 2021.

After using their draft picks, Denver has room to sign 13 undrafted free agents to fill out the 90-man offseason roster. We are tracking all of the team’s UDFA signings on Broncos Wire.

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