clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2019 Broncos Roster Review: Safety Dymonte Thomas

Can the former UDCFA third-year safety make the 53-man roster again this year in a restocked defensive backfield?

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Dymonte Thomas Profile

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 199 pounds

Age: 25 | Experience: 3rd year

Pro-day Results (was not invited to the NFL combine)

40 time - 4.50s | Vertical - 32.5”

Broad - 118” | Short Shuttle - 4.51s | 3-cone - 6.89s

Thomas went undrafted out of Michigan after a decent career where he started three years as a defensive back. Thomas is tall and lean for a safety but he is not afraid to hit.

The Good

Thomas flashed in the preseason in 2017 to get signed to the Broncos practice squad. Because of injuries to safeties, Thomas was signed to the active roster in mid-December 2017 and appeared in three games for the Broncos as a rookie. He got playing time as the third safety in the games 14 and 15, then played the entirety of game 16 (when Broncos fielded mostly a backup team against the Chiefs).

His 71 defensive snaps in 2017 were enough experience to help Thomas make the 53-man roster out of training camp in 2018 as one of the five safeties. While appearing in 12 games (missed four due to injury last season), Thomas was mainly used on special teams as he only saw 43 defensive snaps in 2018 (23 of those vs CLE).

Thomas’ training camp has mostly been quiet so far, but he did do this:

The Bad

Thomas is in a very crowded group of safeties and is ostensibly fighting with four other guys for the fourth or maybe fifth safety spot, depending on how many Broncos keep. Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson and Will Parks are locks for the 53. That means Thomas is fighting with Shamarko Thomas, Trey Marshall, Jamal Carter and Su’a Cravens for the last safety spot (or maybe the last two safety spots).

In reading the training camp reports so far, neither of the five fringe roster guys have done anything to distinguish themselves, and Thomas doesn’t have the size the Carter and Cravens possess that gives them the versatility to fit into that S/LB hybrid role.

Quotable

“I had a decent year and I truly had fun. I got a lot more playing time on defense and I was able to make some plays. The year [2017] didn’t go as we wished and hoped, but I still learned a lot. Whatever they need me to do, I’ll do. I’m not worried about playing here or there. They ask me to do my job and that’s what I try to do. I give all-out effort and it’s fun. It’s still the NFL. I’m still playing football. I’m still doing what I love. Special teams or defense, I’m just excited to be out there.”

Thomas is betting on himself even if it’s going to be difficult to make the 53-man roster again this season.

“I’m going to continue to put my faith in God and work hard and strive to do my best on and off the field. I know I can’t get relaxed. Each and every day, you have to continue to work hard and get better, faster and stronger because everyone knows about the draft. There are guys coming in like me who are trying to take somebody’s job, so you have to stay on top.”

Highlights

Dymonte’ Thomas roster status with the Broncos

Thomas will need to differentiate himself in the preseason to show that he deserves that fourth or fifth safety spot on the roster because Broncos are not going to carry six safeties.