Denver Broncos safety Caden Sterns (30) will replace Justin Simmons while injured. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos hope safety Caden Sterns can follow Justin Simmons 'blueprint'

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 9/16/22

The Broncos placed safety Justin Simmons on injured reserve with a thigh injury, meaning he will miss at least four games. Second-year safety Caden Sterns will replace him as starter, with the goal of mirroring Simmons’ strong play and developing a more relevant role in the secondary.

“We got similar body types, we play the same, so he is kind of a blueprint, in my opinion, for me of what it takes to be one of the best safeties in the league,” Sterns told NFL Network recently.

Sterns, who played collegiately at Texas, received first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2018, but injuries and inconsistency prevented him from reaching his full potential. He fell to the Broncos in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

As a rookie, Sterns had moments when he flashed his potential, including a diving interception against Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 9.

A good day to be a #BroncosCountry fan! Caden Sterns intercepts the pass from Dak Prescott! #DENvsDAL #NFL #NFLTwitter #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/WrSZIoz3DJ
— Football Outsiders (@fboutsiders) November 7, 2021

Sterns studied Simmons and fellow safety Kareem Jackson this offseason, hoping those efforts would help him become a star.

“I’ve learned so much ... with those two," Sterns told NFL Network. "It’s fun to watch both of them play … and the leadership they take up in the secondary and the defense.”

Jackson believes Sterns won’t replace Simmons, but he can carve his own niche.

“I think he’ll come and he’ll play great,” Jackson said earlier this week. “Caden Sterns has played a ton of ball in this league in such a short time, so I think he’s very ready for the situation and the opportunity.”

More must-reads: