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Broncos roster: DB Damarri Mathis (No. 27) fights for spot in squad
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- Broncos roster: DB Damarri Mathis (No. 27) fights for spot in squad
Broncos Wire 's 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fourth-year defensive back Damarri Mathis , No. 27 on defense.
Note: During the offseason, offensive and defensive players can share a number , and Mathis is currently sharing No. 27 with running back J.K. Dobbins. If they both end up making the team, one of Mathis or Dobbins will have to change their jersey number before the regular season.
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Before the Broncos :Mathis (5-11, 195 pounds) played at Pitt from 2017-21. Mathis started out his freshman year playing in seven games, with two tackles and one pass deflection. In each subsequent year, Mathis showed improvement. In 2018, Mathis intercepted one pass, had one pass deflection, and 18 total tackles (13 solo, five assisted, three for loss). In 2019, Mathis improved to 23 combined tackles (19 solo, four assisted, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and 11 pass deflections.
In 2020, Mathis suffered a season-ending non-football related injury before the season began. Mathis came back in 2021 with 44 total tackles (32 solo, 12 assisted), two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown and six pass deflections. Mathis was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.
Broncos tenure:Mathis was thrust into the Broncos' lineup in his rookie season, playing in 16 games, starting 11 of them. Mathis totaled 65 tackles (54 solo, 11 assisted, one tackle for loss) and seven pass deflections.
In 2023, Mathis' playing time decreased, appearing in 17 games, starting six. Mathis made 35 total tackles (26 solo, nine assisted, two tackles for loss) with only one pass deflection. In 2024, Mathis was beaten out for a main cornerback role by Riley Moss and Levi Wallace . Wallace's time was short-lived when Moss became injured during the season, and Mathis started one game in relief. Mathis played in 10 games, starting one lone game and making three total tackles (one solo, two assisted).
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Chances to make the 53-man roster:Potential trade candidate. Mathis has slowly lost playing time across his three seasons with the Broncos. Mathis' job to make the roster got even harder when Denver drafted Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron with the 20th overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft. The team also signed UFL cornerback Mario Goodrich . Mathis could make the squad as the No. 6 cornerback, but the Broncos would save $3.4 million if he's released, so Mathis is not a lock. It wouldn't be surprising to see the team listen to trade offers for the corner.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Damarri Mathis fights for spot on roster
