P. J. Locke

P. J. Locke III
No. 6 – Denver Broncos
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1997-02-12) February 12, 1997 (age 27)
Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:202 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school:Central
(Beaumont, Texas)
College:Texas (2015–2018)
Undrafted:2019
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2024
Total tackles:121
Sacks:4.0
Forced fumbles:4
Pass deflections:8
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

James Abner "P. J." Locke III (born February 12, 1997) is an American professional football safety for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas. Locke was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL draft.

Early life

Locke attended Central High School in Beaumont, Texas.[1]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+1⁄4 in
(1.78 m) 		202 lb
(92 kg) 		31 in
(0.79 m) 		9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.57 s 1.62 s 2.58 s 4.26 s 7.13 s 36.0 in
(0.91 m)		 10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		 22 reps
All values from Pro Day[2]

Pittsburgh Steelers

Locke was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL draft on April 29, 2019.[3] Locke was waived on August 31 during final roster cuts.[4]

Denver Broncos

Locke was signed to the Denver Broncos' practice squad on December 17, 2019.[5] He was waived during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020,[6] and signed to the practice squad the following day.[7] Locke was elevated to the active roster on September 14 for the team's Week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans,[8] making his NFL debut;[9] he reverted to the practice squad the next day. The Broncos promoted Locke to their active roster on September 24.[10]

Since 2020, Locke established himself as a core special teamer and led the Broncos in special teams snaps.

On March 16, 2023, Locke re-signed with Denver.[11] He was placed on short-term injured reserve on August 31,[12] and activated on October 7. On October 22, Locke made his first NFL career interception on a pass from quarterback Jordan Love to seal a Broncos win at home against the Green Bay Packers.

On March 11, 2024, Locke signed a two-year, $7 million contract extension with the Broncos.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ Faye, Matt (July 13, 2021). "Denver Bronco P.J. Locke to host free youth camp in Beaumont". Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "2019 Draft Scout P.J. Locke III, Texas NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  3. ^ Adamski, Chris (April 29, 2019). "Steelers sign undrafted safety P.J. Locke of Texas". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  4. ^ Varley, Teresa (August 31, 2019). "Steelers make roster cuts". Steelers.com.
  5. ^ Davis, Danny (December 17, 2019). "Ex-Longhorn P.J. Locke III heads to Denver to join forces with former teammates". American-Statesman.
  6. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 5, 2020). "Broncos make series of transactions to reach 53-man roster limit". DenverBroncos.com.
  7. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 6, 2020). "Broncos sign 15 players to practice squad". Denver Broncos. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  8. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 14, 2020). "Broncos elevate OLB Derrek Tuszka, S P.J. Locke from practice squad for #TENvsDEN". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  9. ^ Howe, Jeff (September 16, 2020). "Longhorns in the NFL: Recapping a productive opening weekend". 247Sports.com.
  10. ^ Gantt, Darin (September 24, 2020). "Broncos promoting safety P.J. Locke from practice squad". Profootballtalk.com. NBC Sports.
  11. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 16, 2023). "Broncos re-sign S P.J. Locke". DenverBroncos.com.
  12. ^ DiLalla, Aric (August 31, 2023). "Broncos sign NT Mike Purcell, CB Fabian Moreau and T Quinn Bailey, place three players on injured reserve". DenverBroncos.com.
  13. ^ Smith, Michael David (March 10, 2024). "Broncos re-sign safety P.J. Locke to two-year, $7 million contract". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  14. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 11, 2024). "Broncos re-sign S P.J. Locke to two-year contract". Denver Broncos. Retrieved October 5, 2024.


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