Today we’re looking at another exciting young player that Vic Fangio and John Elway went after in 2019 as an undrafted college free agent. He’s getting a real shot this season to be a solid backup safety for the team.

#49 Alijah Holder

Age: 24 Height: 6’2” Weight: 188 lbs

College: Stanford

The Good

In one word: potential. When he was healthy in college, he flashed the goods to be a NFL player. The big plus he brings to the table is football intelligence. One of the most positive reports we heard last season was that he picked up the system extremely quickly.

The Bad

His injury history is the most obvious problem for this young safety. He’s had trouble staying on the field in college to the point where it seems to have effected his athletic development. The Broncos signed him (paying him more than normal for a UDFA) as a low risk gamble basically betting that they’ll be able to keep him healthy and develop his body to the right level so he can be competitive and stay on the field.

With all of that said, his numbers coming out of college were worrisome. He ran a 4.6 40 and most think that was due to his injury history and lack of ability to prep heading into the combine.

Final Word

Alijah Holder did get to see the field in weeks 16-17 of the 2019 NFL season. He didn’t register any stats (which isn’t necessarily bad for a safety), but at least he got some experience against the NFL.

When I look at the safety group for the Broncos, there is Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons and a bunch of scrubs behind them (no offense gentlemen). This is a prime opportunity for a guy like Holder to carve out a place on the team in 2020 and a future for himself in the NFL.

I’m a big fan of safety play and always have been. I’m sure Broncos Country will join me in cheering hard for Holder this season all through training camp (whatever that looks like) and the preseason.