Denver Broncos: Full Position Breakdown and Depth Chart Analysis at Safety

In recent years, and particularly since Peyton Manning became the quarterback of the Denver Broncos, the team has been built around a high-powered offense.

Manning has broken the single-season record for touchdown passes while frustrating defenses with his mastery of the hurry-up offense while in Denver. But the goal of winning a Super Bowl has still eluded the franchise.

In 2015, the defense will be every bit as important as the offense for the Broncos.

With Wade Phillips coming in as the team's new defensive coordinator, a 3-4 defensive scheme will be installed. Phillips has had plenty of success over the years running a 3-4 defense, and he will devise several packages using the personnel at his disposal.

Under Phillips, the Broncos have the ability to become a very aggressive defense that puts consistent pressure on the quarterback while being stingy against the run. However, the secondary will need to be tough as well.

Denver has a pair of very good cornerbacks in Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, but what does the team have at safety? That is what we will take a closer look at here.

What will be the role of each of these players and how much playing time can we expect to see each of them receive? What is the backup plan if the starters don't work out?

Strong Safety

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

T.J. Ward is the starting strong safety, and his status as such is not in question. He adds a physical presence that could help shape the identity of the defense this season.

According to Pro Football Focus, Ward came in at No. 34 out of 87 safeties ranked for the 2014 season. Though that puts him in the top half of the league, the Broncos would like to see him even higher.

Using those same metrics, Ward was rated as the No. 2 pass-rushing safety in the league and was tied for No. 17 against the run. That is key for Ward, who could be asked to come up and play closer to the line of scrimmage based on the defensive call.

The area where Ward will need to improve is pass coverage. Out of 87 safeties, he came in at No. 81 in terms of coverage. That won't get the job done, particularly when a team can match up an athletic tight end such as Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce against him.

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And when the primary man in pass coverage, D.J. Swearinger allowed 5 touchdowns in 2014, which was tied for 2nd-most. T.J. Ward: 6 #Bucs

— Thomas Bassinger (@tometrics) May 14, 2015"

Still, the Broncos should feel very confident with Ward in the secondary. In his first season with the Broncos last year, Ward recorded 74 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. Those numbers helped earn him a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Behind Ward on the depth chart is Josh Bush, who will be entering his fourth season in the league.

Bush was a sixth-round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2012 and has played in 37 games in his career. However, just two of those have come in Denver. In the season finale against the Oakland Raiders last season, Bush was able to make his first career interception.

Bush will have to put together a very strong training camp in order to persuade the coaching staff to keep him on the roster. Even though he's listed as one of only two strong safeties on the roster, the Broncos would likely elect to transition another safety over to that slot other than Bush.

Ward has missed just 11 of a possible 80 games in his career, so the Broncos may feel it's safe to assume Ward will play in every game this season. As a result, Bush will probably be cut during training camp.

Free Safety

The free safety position is certainly a question mark for the Broncos as we head towards the 2015 season. In fact, it's one of the biggest questions the team will have to answer. 

The Broncos chose not to re-sign free-agent safety Quinton Carter, officially giving up on a player that came into the league with so much potential. Though Carter had 21 tackles and one sack last season, injuries derailed his career.

Darian Stewart was brought in as a free agent from the Baltimore Ravens, and he will likely be pegged as the starter once camp opens.

"

Chris Harris Jr.'s take on new FS Darian Stewart: "I'm loving Stewart right now. He's very vocal, smart guy." Harris would know.

— Emmett Smith (@alloverfatman) June 3, 2015"

Stewart played for the St. Louis Rams for four seasons before spending a year in Baltimore. He had 53 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble last season. He was ranked as the No. 30 overall safety by Pro Football Focus but fell down to No. 54 in the pass coverage category.

That could be seen as troubling for a player who will be the last line of defense in many situations. Will teams look to beat the Broncos with the deep ball over the middle when they get a quick wide receiver matched up on Stewart?

Stewart will need to diagnose plays and be alert in Phillips' defense, but his coverage will be the key. If he isn't the best option in pass coverage, he may see his snaps reduced in favor of another player.

David Bruton is a guy who could come in and play free safety, but the Broncos would likely only make that move in a pinch.

Bruton will be entering his seventh season with the team, but he has managed to stick around so long due to his ability on special teams. Bruton is one of the better special teams players in the NFL, and though he has been capable when called on to play safety, he'll make the team as the special teams captain.

The day Bruton loses a step and isn't as effective on special teams, his days in the league will likely come to an end.

Omar Bolden is another player the Broncos could turn to if Stewart falters, but he is another player who may be more of a special teams guy.

Bolden has made little impact on the defensive side of the ball during the first three seasons of his career. He has not made an interception in his career and has just one pass defensed.

He was able to provide a big spark off the bench on kick returns last season, and he will almost certainly get a chance to do the same in camp this summer. If he is unable to earn the job as kick returner, his days in Denver could certainly be numbered.

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Finally, seventh-round draft choice Josh Furman will get a look at free safety as well. At 6'1" and 210 pounds, Furman is a big player who could be a darkhorse candidate to make the final roster.

Though he was drafted in the seventh round, his draft stock may have been low because he really only had one good season in college. After three seasons at Michigan, Furman transferred to Oklahoma State. While there, Furman eclipsed the numbers he put up in three years at Michigan in just one season at Oklahoma State.

Furman may just be a future prospect that gets stashed on the practice squad, but he has an outside chance to make the final 53-man roster. If he has a solid camp and makes some plays in preseason, he could earn a spot.

Will a Cornerback be Moved to Safety?

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

This is a question may fans may wonder throughout the rest of the offseason, and with the limited options the Broncos have at safety, it seems playing a cornerback at safety could certainly happen.

Kayvon Webster and Bradley Roby are two young players the Broncos may want to get on the field as often as they can.

Webster has played in 26 games during the first two years of his career. He has registered 59 tackles and one interception in that time. He is the type of guy Phillips could get much more production out of by placing him in certain sub-packages.

As a cornerback, Webster won't see the field unless there is an injury. But at safety, the Broncos could plug him into the rotation and take advantage of his speed and tackling ability. He might be a better cover guy than Stewart as well.

Bradley Roby, last year's first-round draft choice, is another player the Broncos could move to safety. Again, this would be done as a way to get a more talented player onto the field.

Roby will be the nickel corner on passing downs and with solid coverage guys in Harris and Talib, Phillips will be able to get very creative with Roby. But having him at free safety, even if it were just in certain packages, is something the team should look into.

Stewart will be the starting free safety, but he may be kept on a short leash.