2025 NFL Draft Grades: Denver Broncos

Best Pick: Third-round edge Sai'vion Jones has a chance to be a nice rotational player on their defense. He has the twitch they love from their outside rushers.

Worst Pick: I like second-round running back R.J. Harvey, but I thought it was a little high for him. He isn't great in pass protection, which is something that has to improve in this offense. He does have big-play ability.

The Skinny: Taking corner Jahdae Barron in the first gives them another nice player on the back end. Harvey can rip off big plays, but he went too high by my book. I know Sean Payton sees him as Alvin Kamara-like. I like Jones in the third, and third-round receiver Pat Bryant can play.

Top needs entering the draft: Running back, cornerback and wide receiver

A year ago, I was concerned the Broncos had too many roster questions to reach for a QB in the first round. I thought they might seek a Day 1 trade down to stockpile picks while navigating the Russell Wilson dead-money salary cap fiasco. Well, fast-forward 12 months. Bo Nix threw 29 touchdown passes as a rookie after coach Sean Payton made him the sixth QB off the board at No. 12 last April, and the Broncos had arguably the league's best defense and offensive line in 2024.

So, the draft objectives changed a little bit in 2025. Denver is suddenly shaping a contender, as it tries to challenge the Chiefs for the AFC West and return to the playoffs for a second straight year. Running back -- a non-premium position -- is listed as my No. 1 need for this team. I really thought the Broncos might take Omarion Hampton when he was still there at No. 20. Instead, they got a super versatile defensive back in Jahdae Barron. He had five interceptions last season and answered speed questions with an exclamation point at the combine, running a 4.39. Good luck throwing on Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss and Barron this season.

The running back play came on Day 2, but it wasn't the splashy move I was looking for at the position. RJ Harvey was my RB9, and Denver took him when Kaleb Johnson, Dylan Sampson and others were still available. Javonte Williams didn't move the needle much last season as the team's top rusher (513 yards), and he signed in Dallas. The Broncos really needed a dominant three-down back. Harvey is more likely to help in spurts, especially if Payton can get him in space. Perhaps Harvey serves as his "joker," the multidimensional offensive playmaker whom he likes in his offenses (think Alvin Kamara in New Orleans).

The third-round picks -- receiver Pat Bryant and defensive end Sai'vion Jones -- were OK. I have concerns about Bryant's speed after he ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash, and I had several receivers ranked ahead of him when Denver took him. Jones should help all along the defensive line, and he is disruptive behind the line of scrimmage.

There's nothing too flashy about the Broncos' draft, but the team did add early contributors on both sides of the ball. I'm a big fan of Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron, a high-energy defender who ups the intensity of the secondary and brings ball-hawking skills to Denver. And I really liked the selection of UCF running back RJ Harvey as well; the former Knights star is shifty, elusive, and creates big plays out of the backfield, giving the team some much-needed juice at the position. He could be very productive early on for Sean Payton and company. Illinois receiver Pat Bryant gives Bo Nix another big, sure-handed option downfield and LSU's edge rusher Sai'vion Jones brings length, physically, and versatility to the team's front. Overall, I don't see this as a home run haul, but the Broncos got better.

Given that I projected the Broncos to select a running back at No. 20 in virtually every mock draft I wrote this offseason, I can't say that I foresaw their pick of Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron. That admission aside, I love the addition. It takes a special breed of confidence to play opposite a superstar like Patrick Surtain Jr., and Barron has that — a critical element given the passing attacks of the AFC West.

Like Barron, running back RJ Harvey offers a résumé few can touch, though he came off the board earlier than I expected. I felt the same about former Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant, though both play with the instincts and physicality well-suited for Sean Payton's scheme, as does LSU power edge rusher Sai'vion Jones, a player whose best football still lies ahead of him.

Here's why: I don't disagree with the positions that the Broncos targeted during the draft, but I had a few different preferences for who they could have selected. The Broncos added even more firepower on their defense with Jahdae Barron, who, and forgive the pun here, slots in nicely between Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss. His addition could give the Broncos potentially the best cornerback trio in the league. Barron's all-around versatility, tackling ability and plus-blitzing skills will also be a great fit in Vance Joseph's attacking defense. The Broncos absolutely had to add to their running back room and went with RJ Harvey. I had other backs ahead of him, but he's a good player with speed and receiving ability. Pat Bryant was another player who went earlier than I expected. His size and awareness make total sense for the style of WRs Sean Payton likes.

Most interesting pick: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

I wasn't expecting this player-team fit. And it's one I really like. The Broncos had a top-five defense last season and added even more firepower this offseason. Teams often targeted whoever slot defender Ja'Quan McMillian was defending last year. With Barron now playing in the slot, with the ability to guard tight ends, too, quarterbacks are going to have slim pickings in regards to options. I thought the Broncos were going to go offensive weapon early, but making a strength an even greater strength is a fun decision.

They got a "joker" ... on defense. DB Jahdae Barron might turn out to be a steal with the 20th pick and could elevate an already formidable D to the elite tier. Second-round RB RJ Harvey will give the ground game needed horsepower, though it remains to be seen who primarily shares the load since he wouldn't seem well suited at his size (5-8, 205) to take 20 touches a game in the NFL. Third-round WR Pat Bryant has a chance to chip in early.

Many expected the Broncos would upgrade their offense in the first round, but Denver decided to continue building its top-tier defense with Barron, a slot corner who will form a tremendous trio with Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss. The Broncos instead found their weaponry on Day 2, landing Harvey and Bryant. Harvey should be the lead back in Denver as a rookie, while Bryant can work in alongside second-year receivers Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin to play next to Courtland Sutton.

I loved the Jahdae Barron selection in the first round, and R.J. Harvey and Pat Bryant were both solid additions to the offense. In terms of great value picks, there wasn't much of that with Denver's draft, but the top portion of their picks brought in multiple solid players.