Does the safety have a shot at making the roster this year?
On January 29th of this year, the Broncos signed Devon Key to a reserve/futures contract.
Devon Key played his first NFL snaps for Denver last season. He went undrafted out of college and spent time on the KC and ATL practice squads. Key appeared in every game, started two games at safety and played a total of 251 defensive snaps, he was also on 54% of the special teams snaps for the Broncos in 2024.
Key had 33 total tackles, one QB pressure (which was a sack), one TFL and missed one tackle. His man was targetted 11 times and he allowed five catches for 95 yards two of which resulted in TDs. He allowed a passer rating of 115.5. The only DB who played significantly for the Broncos last season who was worse in coverage was PJ Locke. Locke allowed a passer rating of 125.8, but Locke was on the field for 1000 defensive snaps.
Key is 27, so he has developed all that he is going to develop. He was not good enough to beat out Locke last season and I doubt he will be able to do so this season. While Devon (6-0, 208 lbs) is listed as a DB not a safety, he played as a safety last season. With Talanoa Hufanga on the team, the safety room is crowded with seven guys. The Broncos will most likely only keep four of them: Hufanga, Brandon Jones, PJ Locke and special team ace, JL Skinner. Key does not have the size or the speed to compete with Skinner or veteran SS Sam Franklin Jr.
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Key’s experience on the defense stands him in good stead to land a spot on the practice squad.