Who Is Trey Taylor and Why Is He Called Lock Em Up
Trey Taylor is a safety for the Denver Broncos who entered the NFL in 2024 after playing at Air Force. The nickname Lock Em Up reflects his ball-hawking style and his ability to limit explosive plays against opposing receivers. He was selected by Denver in the second round of the 2024 draft and has quickly become a core part of the secondary Denver Broncos official site.
Taylor recorded 94 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 11 passes defended across his college career at Air Force, earning the 2023 AAC Defensive Player of the Year award. NFL scouts praised his tackling technique, coverage range, and turnover creation, which are the traits that led to his Lock Em Up reputation entering the league NFL.com player profile.
Trey Taylor's 2024 Rookie Season Performance
During his first NFL season, Trey Taylor appeared in all 17 regular season games and started multiple contests at free safety. He finished the year with 66 combined tackles, 1 interception, and 4 passes defended while playing in a hybrid safety/box role for the Broncos defense.
Taylor's coverage grades improved over the course of the season, and he ranked among the top rookie safeties in pass defense metrics according to PFF tracking data. He was especially effective in limiting yards after catch and in playing tight coverage in the slot, reinforcing the Lock Em Up label among analysts Pro Football Reference stats.
Contract Status and Future Outlook for Trey Taylor
Trey Taylor signed his four-year rookie contract with Denver in 2024, with a total value around 7.9 million dollars and a fifth-year option. The deal includes standard rookie salary cap numbers and incentives tied to playing time and performance metrics, keeping him under team control through the 2027 season.
Looking ahead, Taylor is projected to compete for a starting safety role in Denver's base defense while sharing time with veteran starters. His development path will depend on his ability to expand coverage responsibilities and continue generating turnovers, which could make him a key piece in the Broncos' defensive scheme ESPN Trey Taylor player page.