The Denver Broncos have a strong roster with very few significant question marks. Though one big question leading up to the 2026 season is Denver’s depth battle at the safety position. Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga will be the team’s starting duo in the backend of their secondary. How things shake out after that remains to be seen.
A sixth-round draft pick by the franchise in the 2023 NFL Draft, JL Skinner offered a promising blend of traits, intangibles, and tenacious on the field play. Though
since being drafted, Skinner has spent most of his time as purely a special team’s player with very little on the field reps defensively in games.
In the final year of his rookie contract, Skinner will be in a heated competition alongside several other players vying to earn a backup role at safety. Can Skinner find a way to make the team’s final roster again in ‘26 or will someone else take his spot? Let’s discuss.
Player Profile
Age: 25 | Experience: Fourth Year | College: Boise State | Height: 6’4” | Weight: 220 pounds
2025 Statistics: 17 games played with no starts. 34 defensive snaps and 322 snaps on special teams. 12 tackles and 1 fumble recovery.
JL Skinner’s 2026 outlook with the Broncos
Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga will be the Broncos’ starting duo at safety. All-Pro special teams player Devon Key seems like a surefire bet to make the team as well. Last season, the Broncos opted for five safeties on their initial 53-man roster. I’m operating under the assumption they will do the same in ‘26.
With the departure of P.J. Locke, players like Key and Skinner will have a chance to win that third safety job. Alongside Key, Skinner has two main challengers for one of the final backup spots at the position. The first would be seventh-round draft selection Miles Scott. The other? Free agent acquisition Tycen Anderson who was an important special teamer for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Last year with the Broncos, Skinner saw only 34 snaps on defense. However, he was a key player on special teams logging 322 snaps. Over his three-year career, Skinner has just 54 defensive snaps but has been a stalwart on special teams notching 643 snaps.
In order for Skinner to make the roster, he will have to perform well this summer. He needs to make the most of his defensive reps during the preseason games to give the coaches confidence he could step up if necessary due injury. His physical traits are intriguing, but we have a very limited sample size of him in game situations as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
Final Thoughts
Skinner is certainly a player who is on the roster bubble, yet he also has a chance to be the team’s third safety if he shows good coverage chops and discipline over the course of the summer. With the drafting of Scott and signing of Anderson, there will be a fierce competition for the final backup spots behind Hufanga and Jones. It’ll be one of the camp battles I’m looking forward to the most.
I was very intrigued with the former Boise State standout when he was drafted back in ’23. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to see much of Skinner defensively. A big reason why is Denver boasting high-caliber starters on the backend of their secondary for many seasons.
Skinner’s odds of making the final roster appear to be a true coinflip situation. He will have a fair shot at earning the number three role vacated by Locke if he can show promise defensively. But I have no doubt Key, Scott, and Anderson will be giving it their all as well. This will be a fun competition to watch over the course of the summer.
