Michael

Ojemudia

The third-year pro started 11 games in his rookie season, but had played just one defensive snap in 2022. Despite a rough 49.9 PFF coverage grade in 2020, we’d expect him to get another look elsewhere on his prototype outside size (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) and length. He was a 2020 third-rounder for the Broncos.

Simmons went down in Week 1 against the Seahawks but is set to return for a divisional tilt with the Chargers. One of the best safeties in the league, Simmons’ presence only adds to a Broncos defense that’s allowing the third-fewest points per game (18.9) through the first five weeks of the season. The team also activated cornerback Michael Ojemudia (arm) ahead of Monday night’s game.

He, TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring), and CB Michael Ojemudia all began their three-week window to practice before returning from injured reserve. The Broncos aren’t forced to give practice updates on the three of them as part of the injury report, but all three appeared to get work in today and could potentially play in Week 6.

Ojemudia made 22 starts across 51 games for Iowa, playing exclusively at right corner in the Hawkeyes’ Cover 2 scheme with only 115 career snaps in man-to-man coverage sprinkled in. He allowed just 5.0 yards per target as a redshirt junior and senior but still projects as a reserve corner (or safety) in the NFL given the simplicity of his role at the collegiate level. Ojemudia has the speed (4.45 40-time), size, and length (32 1/4") of a successful press corner but may be asked to start in the slot if Bryce Callahan isn’t healthy in time for camp. Denver at least offers an opportunity for Ojemudia to start immediately in his rookie year.

Ojemedia (6'1/202) made 22 starts across 51 games with the Hawkeyes, playing exclusively at right corner in Iowa’s Cover 2 scheme with only 115 career snaps in man-to-man coverage sprinkled in. He allowed just 5.0 yards per target as a redshirt junior and senior but still projects as a reserve corner (or safety) in the NFL given the simplicity of his role at the collegiate level. Ojemedia has the speed (4.45 40-time), size, and length (32 1/4") of a successful press corner but may be asked to start in the slot if Bryce Callahan isn’t healthy in time for camp. Denver at least offers an opportunity for Ojemedia to start immediately in his rookie year.

Ojemedia (6'1/202) made 22 starts across 51 games with the Hawkeyes, playing exclusively at right corner in Iowa’s Cover 2 scheme with only 115 career snaps in man-to-man coverage sprinkled in. He allowed just 5.0 yards per target as a redshirt junior and senior but still projects as a reserve corner (or safety) in the NFL given the simplicity of his role at the collegiate level. Ojemedia has the speed (4.45 40-time), size, and length (32 1/4") of a successful press corner but will need to land with the right fit to excel on his rookie deal.

“He’s not as physical as teams will want for Cover 2, but a press-heavy scheme would keep him closer to his target and allow his length to factor more frequently,” Zierlein wrote in his analysis of Ojemudia (6'1/200). The former Hawkeye, who was a third team all-Big Ten selection last season, put up some solid athletic testing numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine. That will at least get him in the room with teams looking for a corner in the latter stages of this draft. But the instincts, or lack thereof, are a concern and may limit Ojemudia’s potential when it comes to how early his name is called.

It’s the ninth best time of all cornerbacks that ran on Sunday. Ojemudia (6'1/205) was a steady performer for the Hawkeyes, and at the very least, a solid time like this will make teams go back and take a closer look at the tape. NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein looks at Ojemudia as a developmental prospect.