In ESPN’s annual evaluation of the NFL’s top players by position, Jones and Hufanga slid in the 2026 rankings among players outside the traditional top tier at safety. Hufanga moved down one spot, while Jones dropped more noticeably. The context for Jones’ drop includes a mixture of limited availability during the regular season and a postseason absence that may have contributed to perception shifts about his impact. Hufanga, by contrast, played every game in the regular season and postseason and finished among the team leaders in tackles during their playoff run, yet still saw his ranking drop.
For Jones, the 2024-2025 season was unique in that he missed three regular-season games and the Broncos’ playoff games. That limited exposure may have influenced evaluators’ views relative to other safeties who remained consistently on the field. Hufanga, who arrived in Denver as a high-impact contributor and carried over strong play from his previous stop, had the continuity factor in his favor, especially with a Second Team All-Pro designation under his belt from his first season in Denver. Still, the overall perception in the poll shifted for both players, with several others climbing ahead in the rankings.
The decision-making landscape for Denver’s secondary is nuanced. Jones is entering the final year of a three-year, $20 million contract signed during the 2024 free-agent period. Despite his down-year in the rankings, he remained a significant part of the Broncos’ defense and still ranked among the team’s top tacklers during the regular season. There has not been public movement signaling an extension for Jones in the near term, which means his performance in 2026 will be under the microscope as Denver weighs whether to lock him down or consider alternatives.
Hufanga, signed through 2027 on a three-year, $39 million deal after entering the league with a strong reputation from his time with the San Francisco 49ers, represents a high-value option with two void years attached to the back end of his contract. Those void years can help manage cap implications in the later years of the deal, potentially making a lengthy stay more palatable from a financial standpoint. If Denver opts to keep both safeties, the team will need to allocate cap space efficiently to retain this back-end duo while also supporting other roster needs.
The Broncos’ broader roster planning also hinges on quarterback Bo Nix’s eventual contract extension, which will influence how the team structures its roster around him, including pivotal decisions in the secondary. The economic footprint of Nix’s deal will shape how Denver can balance long-term cap commitments with immediate depth across the defense, including safety positions.
Looking ahead, the 2026 season is critical for Jones and Hufanga not only for personal contract considerations but also for how the Broncos assess the value of safety depth and versatility in modern NFL defenses. Both players bring on-field contributions that coaches have emphasized in discussions about the defense’s performance, and their health and availability will remain central factors in any evaluation of whether to pursue extensions, restructure contracts, or realign the safety depth chart.
For fans and analysts, the narrative centers on sustained impact versus availability. Hufanga’s durability and consistency have historically strengthened his case, while Jones’ production when on the field demonstrates value, even if injury and reduced playing time previously tempered his standing in external rankings. Denver’s approach likely will balance the economics of the cap with the practical value of proven contribution in the safety spots, aiming to preserve a competitive defense while addressing evolving roster needs as the team moves toward future contention.
As the 2026 season unfolds, the Broncos’ decisions at safety will become a focal point in shaping a defense that remains among the league’s best, while also aligning with the team’s broader salary-cap strategy and long-term plans for quarterback development and overall roster construction. The outcome will hinge on performance, health, and the evolving calculus of value at a position where experience, versatility, and consistency continue to matter greatly.
