According to NFL Network’s lead league insider Ian Rapoport, the Denver Broncos are signing former Cincinnati Bengals special teams ace/safety Tycen Anderson. This move was reported prematurely last night, but now, the Broncos and Anderson have reportedly agreed to a deal.
After losing safety P.J. Locke in free agency to the Dallas Cowboys, the Broncos needed to add some depth to their safety room. Anderson, who was a key special teamer with the Bengals, adds depth while also strengthening their special teams in the process. He will compete with All-Pro special teamer Devon Key and JL Skinner for the Broncos third safety role on defense.
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Anderson was a 5th-round selection by the Bengals in the 2022 NFL Draft and quickly turned himself into the Bengals’ top special teams ace and the glue to their entire special teams unit. He is a 6-2, 203-pound safety who ran a 4.36 40-time at the NFL Scouting Combine. He has appeared in 41 games for the Bengals, appearing mostly on special teams, and has totaled 42 tackles.
NFL.com’s draft analyst, Lance Zierlein, called Anderson a determined run supporter who can fit as a backup down safety with potential upside before the 2022 NFL Draft.
Three-year starter who aligned as a big nickel and box add-on at Toledo and will likely be targeted in that same capacity by pro teams. Anderson’s size, length and speed stand out on tape. He’s a determined run supporter who plays with adequate block take-on and play strength near the line of scrimmage. He’s a rangy, long tackler with the ability to short-circuit outside runners. Anderson has the potential to handle coverage underneath but might not have the instincts or ball skills to handle additional coverage duties. He has the ability to fit as backup down safety with upside.
With the Broncos, he will join a unit that has Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga as the starters and Devon Key and JL Skinner looking to carve out a role on defense and special teams. Key is coming off an All-Pro season as a special teamer and could be viewed as the in-house replacement for PJ Locke, while Skinner and now Anderson will be pushing for that spot as well as a role on special teams.
With an added emphasis on returns, teams need to have a strong coverage unit to avoid giving up long returns that give the opposing offense excellent field position or even a return touchdown. Since taking over the Broncos, head coach Sean Payton has put an emphasis on improving the Broncos’ special teams, and the results are there. Kicker Wil Lutz has been reliable, punter Jeremy Crawshaw showed off his strong leg, Marvin Mims Jr. is a mult-time All-Pro returner, and last season, Devon Key was named to the All-Pro team as a special teamer. Adding a player like Anderson keeps this unit strong and hopefully amongst the best in the NFL this upcoming season.
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