The Sean Payton era began with a surprise playoff appearance in 2024 as most predicted the Denver Broncos to have an under .500 record with a rookie QB in Bo Nix and a new coach in Sean Payton.
Denver took care of their QB last season, so the focus will be elsewhere in 2025? We take a look at the Broncos’ 2025 Draft and evaluate if another postseason appearance is on the horizon.
Looking for all 32 teams’ draft grades? Head to our 2025 NFL Draft Grades for All 32 Teams Tracker to see how we’ve graded other drafts.
Overall Broncos Draft Grade: B-
The Denver Broncos came in with relatively few needs for a team that was a surprise playoff participant in 2024. Denver surprised many by going cornerback in Round 1 with Jahdae Barron, but the Texas product was a solid value at 20.
Barron immediately enters as a slot corner weapon with the versatility to play all over the defense. Between Barron, Pat Surtain II, and Riley Moss, Denver has constructed a potentially lethal trio of homegrown corners to combat the AFC’s superstar quarterbacks.
Day 2 brought more of the offensive skill position talent that many expected. Running back R.J. Harvey has a strong chance to start right away and give the Broncos a clear lead back after using a three-way committee in 2024.
Wide receiver Pat Bryant went a little higher than many expected in Round 3, though the Illinois product should have a chance to emerge as the No. 2 receiver behind Courtland Sutton.
In double-dipping at edge rusher with Sai’vion Jones and Que Robinson, the Broncos are also ensuring that their front seven doesn’t deteriorate after serving as a team strength last season.
Denver surely intends to keep both Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto long-term, but both are entering contract years. Paying both could result in other contributors like John Franklin-Myers getting priced out, so getting ahead of that need is a smart move.
The Broncos only had three picks on Day 3, so this team did most of its work early (though picking top-ranked punter Jeremy Crawshaw was a fun move). The good news is that Denver entered the draft with relatively few needs for a team that was a surprise playoff participant in 2024, and largely checked those off.
The team’s biggest remaining hole is arguably at linebacker, where Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton are health risks. Still, both are established starters that should serve as a fine duo if they can stay on the field. That makes the Broncos a dangerous sleeper to watch if Bo Nix can progress in Year 2.
Grades for Every Broncos Draft Pick
- Round 1, Pick 20
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Grade: A-
This was a surprising development, as many mock drafts matched the Broncos with a running back – either TreVeyon Henderson or Omarion Hampton. But the Broncos chose to defer to a deep RB class and instead took Jahdae Barron with the 20th overall pick.
Passing on a Round 1 RB does leave that position up to chance a bit more, but there’s no denying the value Barron can bring to Vance Joseph’s defense. Barron can play both boundary and slot CB and will feasibly rotate between Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian, while Pat Surtain II locks down the other boundary.
While Barron is a bit undersized, he’s an absolute menace in zone coverage and run support. His hyperactive twitch and rapid processing speed enables him to click, close, and make his presence felt in read-and-response, and he’s a legitimate two-phase playmaker with a tone-setting mentality and an effervescent play pace. With Barron, Denver’s defense could reach new levels of “elite.”
- Round 2, Pick 60
RJ Harvey, RB | UCF
Grade: B
We knew the Broncos would target a running back at some point. The only questions were when and who. The ‘when’ was fairly easy to anticipate at 60th overall after their first-round pick. The ‘who’ was less expected, as RJ Harvey earned the Broncos’ confidence over other options like Kaleb Johnson and Damien Martinez.
Harvey wasn’t the top RB remaining on PFSN’s board, but this RB class is very much a “pick your flavor” type of class, so there’s no faulting Sean Payton for adding a back he thinks can flourish in his scheme.
At 5’8”, 205 pounds, Harvey is one of the most elusive, instinctive, and dynamic runners in the class, and he has budding pass-game versatility as a RAC threat, too. On the surface, some will call this a reach, but it could pay unexpected dividends early on.
- Round 3, Pick 74
Pat Bryant, WR | Illinois
Grade: B-
We’re at the point of the draft now where each team’s board is separating from consensus. It’s unfair to grade each pick by the consensus board alone, and the Pat Bryant pick is a prime example of that. Bryant wasn’t the best WR on the board, and I would’ve taken Tory Horton here if we’re sticking with bigger WRs. That said, Bryant’s function in Sean Payton’s offense is also visibly clear.
At 6’2”, 204 pounds, Bryant doesn’t have an elite size-speed combination, but he’s explosive, fleet-footed, agile, and fluid as a mover. He can carve up seams and off-set DBs with quick lateral baits, and he has the body control and hands to convert in clutch situations and in the red zone. As a reliable WR3 with some measured upside, he should find a niche to fill comfortably in Payton’s scheme with Bo Nix under center.
- Round 3, Pick 101
Sai’vion Jones, EDGE | LSU
Grade: B
The Broncos can never have enough edge rushers, and players like Zach Allen have thrived in Denver with their inside-outside versatility. Sai’vion Jones could fall into a similar bucket as a bigger defensive end who has scheme versatility.
At 6’5” and 280 pounds, Jones relies much more on power rather than burst. With over 33-inch arms, Jones usually wins the leverage battle against whatever offensive lineman he’s facing. He doesn’t have the best bend, but improved as a pass rusher at LSU and will get to assimilate slowly as a rotational piece.
- Round 4, Pick 134
Que Robinson, EDGE, Alabama
Grade: C
Que Robinson never emerged as a starter in four seasons at Alabama. However, he did record four sacks in a part-time role in 2024 after having just 1.5 in his first three seasons combined. Robinson certainly looks the part with his 6’4”, 243-pound frame, and his 33.5-inch arms help him keep offensive tackles out of his frame.
However, as you might expect for someone who hasn’t played much, he’s very raw technique-wise. Robinson also didn’t demonstrate the best instincts in run defense, being late to anticipate blocks and run flows.
The Broncos are certainly deep enough at the edge (particularly after taking Sai’vion Jones in Round 3) to give Robinson time to work behind the scenes as a developmental prospect.
- Round 6, Pick 216
Jeremy Crawshaw, P | Florida
Grade: B - Round 7, Pick 241
Caleb Lohner, TE | Utah
Grade: C+
