It's that time of the year again. Mile High Report begins our annual 90 players in 90 days roster breakdown. Last year went fairly well, but starting today and through August 27th, we'll break down every player on the Denver Broncos roster.
Name: Shiloh Keo
Position: Safety
Height: 5'11" Weight: 208
Age: 28 Experience: 4
College: Idaho
Shiloh Keo was a fifth-round pick by the Houston Texans in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Keo played three seasons with the Houston Texans, and one season with the Denver Broncos. In those four years, Keo has totaled 86 tackles, 8 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions.
After missing the entire 2014 season, Keo signed a future's contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent the entire offseason with the Bengals but was among the team's final cuts before the start of the 2015 season. Keo spent the majority of the 2015 season out of the NFL and things didn't look great for the veteran safety.
Everything changed after Keo tweeted out to Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips. After injuries to starting safeties T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart, the Broncos signed veteran safety Josh Bush to provide some depth.
This led to Keo tweeting "didn't want to pick me up, huh?" to Phillips. Phillips responded that Bush knew the system, and spent some time with the team earlier in the year. Keo then replied back saying "Keep me in mind tho if things don't pan out". Keo later admitted that he meant this tweet as a joke because he knew that Phillips was a bit of a jokester himself.
@sonofbum I hear ya, still the same system tho. Little man is doing great. Keep me in mind tho if things don't pan out
— Shiloh Keo (@kaleo10) December 2, 2015
About one week later, the Broncos ended up signing Shiloh Keo to a contract because of their lack of depth at the position.
Keo went on to play in the Broncos final four regular season games and appeared in two out of the three postseason games the Broncos played. In those six total games, Keo totaled 8 tackles, 1 pass deflection, and 1 interception.
(Photo via Joe Mahoney / Associated Press)
Now Keo enters the 2016 season on the Broncos roster bubble. He will likely be battling for one of the final roster spots on the Broncos. He will need to show that he is a valuable backup and that he can be a solid special teams contributor for the Broncos this season.
The good:
Keo has familiarity on his side with the Broncos. He was drafted by then Houston Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak, and he played under Wade Phillips in Houston and last season with the Broncos. So they know Keo, and Keo knows them and the system.
He is also a proven veteran in this league. He won't be your starter, but he is a solid special teams player who can also be a solid depth player as well.
With the Broncos drafting two safeties in this year's NFL Draft, they could lean on Keo to help tutor the young and teach them Wade Phillips system this summer.
The bad:
It's never good when a player on the roster bubble gets in trouble off the field, and that is exactly what happened with Shiloh Keo.
Keo was arrested for a DUI charge back in February, just days/weeks after winning Super Bowl 50. Just last week, Keo pleaded guilty to that misdemeanor DUI charge.
For punishment, Keo received probation, had his licenses revoked, and received a fine.
As part of his plea, Keo was sentenced to a year of probation and had his driver's license suspended for 180 days. In addition, he was fined $952.50 and ordered to speak at eight high schools. He also was ordered to follow all the requirements in the NFL's Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse.
Because of this arrest and guilty charge, Keo could be subject to discipline from the NFL.
If he does get suspended for this off the field issue, I do not see Keo sticking around on the Broncos roster for long. He is already on the bubble, and players in his position do not get the second chances that other players get.
Also going against Keo is the Broncos drafting two safeties during the 2016 NFL Draft.
Justin Simmons seems like a lock to make the Broncos roster, and Will Park's versatility should get him a roster spot as well. This potentially leaves one more spot available, but Keo will be fighting for one of the final roster spots on the Broncos this summer.
Roster Status:
I think Keo could make the team, but will need a strong offseason and maybe one of the younger guys to struggle some this summer.
Ultimately I think Keo will be battling for that final roster spot with many different players. They could decide to go with an extra cornerback instead, or maybe an extra linebacker or defensive lineman.
I think Keo will last until the final cuts, but right now i think he is on the outside looking in.