With their first of three 7th round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Illinois safety Miles Scott to add some more depth to their secondary. He’s a 5-11, 210-pound safety prospect with 4.62 speed and a 37.5-inch vertical. He started his college career as a wide receiver before transitioning to safety in the spring of 2023. From there, he would become a key part of their secondary and is viewed as an ascending talent due to his rawness at the position.
During his career,
Mile Scott totaled 182 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 7 interceptions, 2 defensive touchdowns, 11 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had an undrafted grade on Miles Scott, but did say he processes well, has good ball skills, and hasn’t yet hit his ceiling as a safety.
Scott is a good-sized athlete for the position, with the tracking and ball skills of a former wideout. A two-time captain, he wore the green dot for the Illini, and his experience as a route runner helps him sort, key and drive on throws in coverage. He is a fluid mover in space to turn and run with receivers or tight ends, although his ordinary speed does show at times. He made substantial improvements in his run-game angles and tackling technique in 2025. Scott has only adequate range for the position, but he processes well, with burst and ball skills to impact plays. A wide receiver most of his life, he has yet to hit his ceiling as a defensive back.
The Broncos drafted Scott simply to add more depth and competition to their safety room. Behind starters Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, it’s fairly wide open. They lost key reserve PJ Locke to free agency this offseason and haven’t really replaced that role as of yet. Currently, they have three players who all profile as special teams players and not really defensive players. Devon Key was an All-Pro special teamer last season. They signed Tycen Anderson, but he has been nothing but a special teams ace throughout his career, and JL Skinner has primarily played special teams as well. So, when it comes to the defensive side, it’s a wide-open competition, and that is where Scott could make some noise this summer.
Broncos General Manager George Paton told reporters after Day 3 that they really liked Scott’s ball skills. He is a former wide receiver, so he has good hands and ball skills, and had 7 interceptions throughout his college career.
“With Miles, I think the ball skills. I think he had seven interceptions throughout his career. [He is] very physical for a former receiver, and instincts for a guy who hasn’t played it all that long. We thought he had really good anticipation and instincts, and thus, he had the interceptions. I think he fits in with our group and what we look for in safeties.”
If Scott can show off those ball skills this summer and get some interceptions throughout training camp and the preseason, he could find himself in a key role on the defensive side of the ball in his rookie year. The safety room is going to be a competitive room when it comes to that third safety role, and I believe rookie Miles Scott could be a strong contender for that job.
Player Profile
Miles Scott | Safety | Denver Broncos
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 210 pounds
- Age: 24 years old
- Experience: Rookie
- Arm Length: 31 inches
- Hand Size: 10 3/8 inches
- 40-time: 4.62 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 37.5 inches
- Broad Jump: 10-3
- Short Shuttle: 4.12 seconds
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.09 seconds
- Bench Press: 18 reps
- 2025 stats: 64 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 7 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions
Miles Scott’s 2026 outlook with the Broncos
He will be competing for a spot on the 53-man roster and has a real chance to earn a role on defense and special teams this upcoming season.
The Broncos lost safety P.J. Locke, who served as their third safety this past year, to free agency after he signed with the Dallas Cowboys and never really replaced his role. The current in-house options are All-Pro special-teams player Devon Key, who will probably get the first crack at it, and JL Skinner, who has played primarily on special teams. They did sign safety Tycen Anderson in free agency, but he is another special-teams ace, much like Key and Skinner. All three of Key, Anderson, and Skinner need to prove they’re more than just special teams players this offseason and could give rookie Miles Scott a real opportunity to carve out a role here.
Scott is a 7th-round pick, and they’re never guaranteed a roster spot, but I think he has a really good shot at making the team and potentially earning that third safety role this summer. Devon Key will likely be the favorite for that spot, and while he has become an All-Pro special teamer, we have seen him struggle on the defensive side of the ball. Tycen Anderson rarely played on defense for the Bengals and was their special teams ace, and JL Skinner is likely on the roster bubble. So, there is a clear avenue here for Scott, and it will be interesting to see how he does.
It should be noted that he is viewed as an ascending talent by the Broncos. Scott just started playing safety a few years ago and has flashed some real potential there. However, he’s still raw and learning the position, and should only improve more with coaching and more reps throughout the offseason and into training camp and the preseason.
Final Thoughts
Scott is an intriguing player and someone who could be a real surprise this summer. He should only continue to get better with more reps and development, and really could push for that third safety role this summer.
Now, some of that is due to the Broncos’ lack of depth at safety. Key is an All-Pro special teamer, but when he has played defense, he hasn’t looked amazing (The Ravens game in 2024). Tycen Anderson rarely played defense with the Bengals, and Skinner is on the roster bubble. All three are pretty much in the same boat as Scott when it comes to defense. They obviously have the upper hand when it comes to special teams, but I am interested to see how it plays out.
I wouldn’t be shocked if we see a veteran added to compete at some point, but again, we’ll have to see. If they keep the current group, I think he could quickly have a key reserve role on the Broncos’ defense this upcoming season.
