Broncos safety Justin Simmons was struck by one development during the NFL draft as it pertained to his position group. For the first time since 2007, the Broncos did not draft a defensive back.

“One of the coolest things in terms of the secondary was we didn’t pick anyone up, which I think sends a clear message of, ‘The guys we got are the guys we got and we’re confident in what we have,’” Simmons said.

A defensive back wasn’t drafted until No. 21 (safety Darnell Savage to Green Bay), right after the Broncos took tight end Noah Fant.

The run on cornerbacks was bound to begin in round 2 … and it did. Seven cornerbacks went from Nos. 33-54 and four safeties from Nos. 47-63. The board depleted, the Broncos went with defensive end Dre’Mont Jones at No. 71.

When Broncos’ organized team activities start May 13, the cornerback depth chart will be Chris Harris (who isn’t expected to participate), Bryce Callahan, De’Vante Bausby and Isaac Yiadom, if he’s cleared (shoulder). At safety, it will be Simmons, Kareem Jackson (if he stays at safety), Will Parks and, in some order, Su’a Cravens, Dymonte Thomas and Jamal Carter.

Simmons, who did not miss a defensive snap last year and was second on the team with 97 tackles, is entering the final season of his rookie contract. He previously started alongside Darian Stewart, who was cut in March. Jackson, a cornerback/safety for Houston signed in free agency, worked at safety during last month’s minicamp.

“Kareem is a very versatile player,” Simmons said. “We talked a lot about playing safety, moving to corner (and) playing nickel because I had a little taste of that last year. Obviously, the chemistry aspect has to grow, but I really enjoyed it.”

A key for the Broncos is finding a pecking order at safety behind Simmons that allows coach Vic Fangio to use Jackson in a nickel or outside cornerback role in certain situations or against certain opponents.

Finding talent. Among 17 undrafted free agents signed by the Broncos were two Division II receivers in Trinity Benson of East Central (Okla.) and Romell Guerrier of West Florida. How did the Broncos find these two players?

Jerry Marlatt, Benson’s agent, said the Broncos scouted Benson during the season and “made a strong recruiting push days ahead of the draft in the event he went undrafted.”

Sean Russi, Guerrier’s agent, said the Broncos picked up on Guerrier after his pro day and he chose them over two other teams that made contract offers.

The Broncos signed only one undrafted cornerback (Alijiah Holder), but stocked up on offensive linemen and linebackers (four apiece) when signing undrafted free agents.

Contract estimates. Per Spotrac, the projected four-year contract totals for the Broncos’ six draft picks: Fant ($12,553,108 total/$7,202,443 signing bonus/$2,282,383 cap hit this year), Risner ($7,125,435/$3,202,135/$1,295,534), Lock ($6,994,472/$3,106,689/$1,271,722), Jones ($4,101,073/$1,062,339/$760,585), Justin Hollins ($2,825,725/$305,725/$571,431) and Juwann Winfree ($2,691,250/$171,250/$537,812).

Top 100 voting. The Broncos’ ballot for fans and alumni to select the top 100 players in franchise history includes 86 defensive players and 126 offensive players/specialists. Fans can also type in candidates not listed.

Around the NFL

Protecting Watson. The Texans allowed a league-high 62 sacks last year so going offensive line early in the draft was a no-brainer for coach Bill O’Brien. Their first two picks were Alabama State right tackle Tytus Howard and Northern Illinois left guard Max Scharping. Related Articles Newman: Jump-starting Broncos’ passing game centers around more targets for tight end Noah Fant

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Broncos, injuries and all, facing must-win scenario in Week 3 against Tom Brady and Tampa Bay

Jackson: How much does it matter that Jeff Driskel is Broncos’ starting quarterback Sunday? Probably less than you think.

Keeler: Broncos are officially the Blake Bortles of NFL franchises now. Dead by inches. Tortured by timeouts. Just good enough to break your heart.

O’Brien and Co. needed to do something up front to protect better and free up tight ends and running backs to be receivers. In its win over the Broncos last year, Houston used six- or seven-man protections on 16 of Deshaun Watson’s 33 drop-backs.

Fifth-year options. Friday was the deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year options on their 2016 first-round picks. The top seven selections had their options exercised; the highest pick to have his option declined was Tennessee right tackle Jack Conklin (eighth pick).

For Conklin and others who see their options declined, the good news is they will be free agents next March; the bad news is, if they don’t play well, they won’t have much of a market. This was a non-story for the Broncos’ front office since quarterback Paxton Lynch was released after last year’s preseason.

Jacobs’ role magnified. Before he went through a single practice, Oakland first-round running back Josh Jacobs saw his workload increase. Per reports, Isaiah Crowell, who ran over the Broncos last year as a member of the Jets (219 yards), tore his Achilles during a workout. Veteran Doug Martin re-signed after Crowell’s injury to serve as Jacobs’ back-up.

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