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[Denver Broncos]

RB Blake Watson will need a strong summer if he wants to make the Broncos 53-man roster

The Broncos second year back will need a strong summer to make the 53-man roster.

After a productive year at Memphis, many believed running back Blake Watson would be drafted. For whatever reason, that did not happen, and he became one of the prizes of the undrafted free agency period. Multiple teams had interest in the explosive runner, but he would ultimately end up signing with the Denver Broncos.

I had high hopes for Watson entering training camp. The Broncos' running back room was iffy at best, and he profiles as a type of back that could flourish in Sean Payton’s offense. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury and was sidelined for multiple training camp practices. This was a setback for the undrafted rookie, but he was still able to make the Broncos' initial 53-man roster.

Despite making the team, he was not activated and ultimately was waived by the Broncos in October. However, he was re-signed to their practice squad soon after and would once again be added to the 53-man roster late in the year.

#Broncos UDFA rookie RB Blake Watson powers it in for a TOUCHDOWN!pic.twitter.com/R3pIkLrrKF

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 11, 2024​

Watson would only appear in two regular-season games and total 4 rushing attempts for 10 yards. He would also see 2 targets in the passing game and have 1 reception for 13 yards. Although the sample size was limited, Watson did show some flashes of potential in the 5 touches he had last season.

Now, he enters an important second season with the Broncos, where he will need a strong summer to make the 53-man roster. Unfortunately for Watson, it has been a rough start for him as he has sat out multiple OTA and minicamp practices and has watched the Broncos add to the running back room this offseason.

Player Profile​

Blake Watson | Running Back | Broncos​

Height: 5-9

Weight: 195 pounds

Age: 25 years old

Experience: 2nd NFL season

2024 stats: 4 carries for 10 yards and 1 reception for 13 yards

Broncos RB Blake Watson’s 2025 Outlook​

First and foremost, he needs to get healthy and stay healthy. He was dealing with an injury during camp last season that cost him valuable practice reps and has missed a chunk of OTAs and minicamp this offseason. If he wants to make the Broncos' 53-man roster, he needs to be healthy and on the field this summer.

As for his odds of making the team, they seem slim at best right now. The team drafted R.J. Harvey in the second round of the draft and then signed veteran J.K. Dobbins earlier this month. Those two are expected to dominate the touches at the running back position, leaving maybe one or two roster spots available. Second-year running back Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin appear to be the favorites for those jobs, while Tyler Badie could make a push as well. All three of those backs played ahead of Watson last season, so he’ll need to show more than he did if he wants to pass them on the depth chart.

He is an undersized back, but his receiving upside is what makes him an intriguing option for the Broncos. We all know how Sean Payton loves to utilize his backs in the passing game, and Watson, a former receiver, profiles as that type of back. So, that is the area of the game he likely will need to excel at during the summer if he wants to make the team.

Final Thoughts​

As I have said, Watson needs a strong summer to make the team. A spot on the 53-man roster seems highly unlikely at the moment, and even a practice squad spot is not a guarantee. If Audric Estime did not make the team, he would be a strong candidate for that spot, and I believe Tyler Badie has a better shot currently as well.

I was high on Watson last season, but my opinion has soured a bit after last season. The Broncos' running back room was awful last season, and despite that, he was waived off the 53-man roster, did not make an impact, and saw others receive bigger opportunities ahead of him.

First, he will need to get healthy. Hopefully, we see him healthy and ready to go at the start of camp, and we’ll see if he can do enough to make the team out of camp once again this year.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/6/22/24453289/broncos-roster-review-running-back-blake-watson

 

[Denver Broncos]

QB Bo Nix will look to lead the Broncos to an AFC West title and a deep postseason run this upcoming season

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Bo Nix is the Broncos franchise quarterback and the face of their franchise.

With their 12th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. This was a controversial pick according to some who believed Nix didn’t deserve to go in the first round, was a “reach”, or just simply was not a good quarterback prospect. The noise was loud, but Sean Payton was confident in his evaluation of Nix, and according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Payton felt as strongly about Bo Nix as he did Mahomes.

Despite the outside noise, Nix joined the Broncos during the offseason workouts and quickly impressed. He was picking up the playbook quickly, acting more like a veteran than a rookie, and impressing on the field. He would learn from his mistakes, and the growth was noticeable. That carried over into training camp, where Nix was in a three-way competition for the Broncos' starting quarterback job with veteran Jarrett Stidham and former number two overall pick Zach Wilson. He had his ups and downs in the early parts of camp and the preseason, but quickly proved he was the best quarterback on the roster and was eventually named the starting quarterback for week one.

Things would start slowly for Nix and the Broncos during the season. They would start the year 0-2, and Nix would throw 0 touchdown passes, 4 interceptions, and 1 rushing touchdown during that span. The doubters and naysayers were loud, but that did not stop Nix and the Broncos from turning it around. They would go on to upset the Bucs on the road, beat the Jets in the rain on the road, and then come back to have a signature win over the rival Raiders in their throwback uniforms.

Nix's first four games: 1 TD - 4 INTs
Rest of the season: 28 TDs - 8 INTs
Final 4 games: 12 TDs - 4 INTs

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) January 6, 2025​

This is when things started to click for Bo Nix. The Broncos' rookie quarterback would go on to have a historic rookie season from that point forward.

He finished the season with 3,775 yards passing, 29 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, completed 66.3% of his passes, and had a quarterback rating of 93.3. and a QBR of 57.2. He also had 430 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, and 1 reception for 2 yards and 1 touchdown.

His 29 passing touchdowns rank second all-time for a rookie quarterback and only trail Justin Herbert, who had 31 in his rookie season. That is two more than third-place Baker Mayfield, who had 27, three more than Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning, who had 26, and 4 more than Jayden Daniels, who would go on to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

BO NIX THROWS A 93 YARD TOUCHDOWN TO MARVIN MIMS pic.twitter.com/Eepf3RtpHa

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) December 3, 2024​

On the season, only Joe Burrow(43), Baker Mayfield(41), Lamar Jackson(41), Jared Goff(37), and Sam Darnold(35) had more passing touchdowns than Nix, who had 29. When you break it down by conference, Nix had the 3rd most passing touchdowns in the AFC and had more than Josh Allen(28), Patrick Mahomes(26), and Justin Herbert(23), all of whom are considered the top quarterbacks in the league.

Now, Bo Nix enters year two with the Broncos looking to build on his successful rookie year. Throughout the offseason practices, Nix has looked more comfortable, in command of the huddle, being a leader, and looking good on the practice field. The Broncos also made it a priority to surround him with more weapons this season. They signed veteran tight end Evan Engram, drafted running back R.J. Harvey in the second round, and wide receiver Pat Bryant in the third round, while also seeing significant improvement and development from Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, and Devaughn Vele.

If Nix continues to play like he did in the second half of his rookie year, he and the Broncos could be on the verge of some very big things this upcoming season.

Player Profile​

Bo Nix | Quarterback | Broncos​

Height: 6-2

Weight: 217 pounds

Age: 25 years old

Experience: 2nd year in the NFL

2024 stats: Started all 17 games and finished with 3,775 yards passing, 29 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, completed 66.3% of his passes, and had a QB rating of 93.3. He also rushed for 430 yards, had 4 rushing touchdowns, and 1 touchdown reception.

Broncos QB Bo Nix’s 2025 Outlook ​

The expectations for Nix and the Broncos are very high. Broncos Country is full of optimism and is expecting big things from the team and Nix this upcoming season. Nix needs to avoid the sophomore slump, continue to show improvement, and not only make the postseason, but this time, win a postseason game. Anything less would likely be viewed as a disappointment.

So far, Nix has been meeting these expectations. The reports from the OTAs and minicamp indicate that this is fully Bo Nix’s team. He has taken on a larger leadership role, is fully comfortable on the practice field, in complete command of the offense, and everything is simply moving faster than it did last season.

Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton told reporters that Nix has less pause and hesitation in the pocket and that you’re seeing him practice faster with more confidence.

“Less pause, less hesitation with the play call in the huddle. Less pause, less hesitation in the pocket. He’s playing fast, and again protecting the ball. He’s hard to sack. He was hard to sack in college. You’re seeing him practice faster with more confidence.”

Nix told reporters back in May that he feels a lot further along than he did last season, and spitting out play calls and processing everything is just a lot easier for him.

“I feel like I’m a lot further along. Just spitting out play calls a lot easier and just processing. Being around ‘VJ’ (Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph) for a year and understanding the defense that I’m going to get. It’s a lot better and a lot more enjoyable not thinking right now as opposed to what I was doing last year. It’s fun, it’s fun to be in the know and it’s fun to have a little more of an understanding of what’s going on so I can be a little more beneficial to others and help them out along the way. I feel good. We’re in a good spot.”

He was reportedly even going at it and chirping with the Broncos' defense during the practices. Nix being more comfortable and confident heading into training camp is a great sign for the Broncos.

What does "not thinking" as much in Year Two mean for Broncos QB Bo Nix? He explains:

"Well, it helps a lot because I'm not thinking about what the offense is doing," he says. "When you go up to the line of scrimmage, you want to be only thinking about the defense, only… pic.twitter.com/KBs9C2A5Dl

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) May 29, 2025​

Another reason for the higher expectations is the added weapons around him on offense. The team went out and signed veteran tight end Evan Engram, who will give Nix a playmaker and security blanket in the middle of the field. They also improved their run game by drafting explosive running back R.J. Harvey and signing veteran J.K. Dobbins. On top of that, the Broncos' returning young wide receivers have been showing signs of improvement and development this offseason. We saw Marvin Mims Jr.’s development in the second half of last season, and his growth, development, and role are only expected to grow this upcoming season. Then you have Devaughn Vele, who was getting rave reviews, and the speedy Troy Franklin, who drew praise from Sean Payton and was noted more for making explosive plays throughout practice. On top of all that, the team drafted Pat Bryant in the third round, and he was making plays with Nix while Vele was sidelined. We didn’t even mention veteran Courtland Sutton and his 18 touchdown receptions the past two seasons.

If all these weapons live up to their expectations and/or have a breakout year, the Broncos offense, led by Bo Nix, could be on the verge of a very exciting 2025 season and potentially an AFC West title.

Final Thoughts​

I have high hopes for Bo Nix in year two. I believe the Broncos can be one of the best teams in the league, they can win the AFC West, and Nix could push for 40+ total touchdowns and 4,500+ combined yards.

Those are lofty expectations, but he nearly eclipsed both these marks during his rookie year. Now, he’s fully comfortable and in command of Payton’s offense, the offense has improved around him, and he might have one of the best defenses in the league as well.

The Chiefs' days at the top of the AFC West are numbered because Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos are coming for them.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/6/23/24453911/broncos-roster-review-quarterback-bo-nix

 

[Denver Broncos]

Broncos announce training camp dates for fans

Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Denver Broncos have announced their annual training camp dates that will be open to the public.

The Denver Broncos have announced public training camp dates. These are ticketed events that fans can attend. All tickets are free, but space is limited — especially now that we have a franchise quarterback to pine over.

There will be 13 total open practice sessions for fans to attend with the final one being the joint practice session with the Arizona Cardinals.

The most-attended date will likely be that first Saturday on July 26th which will be their annual Back Together Weekend event. That will be a very family-friendly affair with plenty of distractions for fans to enjoy.

Fans can begin securing their free tickets through Ticketmaster starting on Wednesday at 10AM mountain. If you can get a ticket to one of the dates this year, you should certainly go. It’s a great place to see the players up close and secure autographs at times. The added bonus of having a team on the rise is also a nice draw.

Broncos preseason schedule​

• Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers (8/7 - 8/10)
• Week 2: vs. Arizona Cardinals (8/14 - 8/17)
• Week 3: at New Orleans Saints (8/23)

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/6/24/24454951/denver-broncos-announce-training-camp-dates

 

[Denver Broncos]

Horse Tracks: Pro Football Focus ranks the Broncos’ defensive line 8th best in NFL

Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Denver Broncos defensive lineman and edge players performed well in 2024 and made a large jump in Pro Football Focus’ position rankings for the 2025 season.

Good morning, Broncos Country.

A lot can change over the course of one season in the National Football League.

After a rough 2023 campaign, Pro Football Focus wasn’t too high on the Denver Broncos defensive line and edge defenders. Leading up to last season, they ranked the Broncos’ unit as the second-worst in the NFL. It was hard to fault them, considering Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph’s unit struggled to perform consistently in ‘23, ranking at the bottom of almost every statistical category.

But last season, things changed dramatically for Denver in that regard and Joseph’s defense proved to be one of the best. In their most recent position group analysis, PFF slated the Broncos’ group of defensive linemen and edge players as a Top 10 unit for the coming season—eighth overall. A notable and well-deserved improvement.

Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers proved to be a formidable duo for the franchise last year and undoubtedly helped make an impact for the team. Veteran nose tackle D.J. Jones was played well on the interior. and free agent addition Malcom Roach really helped the team’s depth—they key fourth member in the Broncos’ line rotation.

Their hard-nosed and consistent play up front really helped things out for their group of edge rushers. Headlined by Nik Bonitto, whose All-Pro and Pro-Bowl campaign was one of the most impressive of any defender in the league, the Broncos were able to help amass 63 total sacks—a franchise record—and the most of any team last year.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Broncos added Sai’vion Jones and Que Robinson into the fold, building upon one of the biggest strengths the franchise has. If the Broncos want to be successful this coming season, the team’s defensive trench players will have to continue to play at a high level. Based off last season’s results and the new additions, it seems like they will once again be one of the best in the business.

What do you think, Broncos Country? Do you think Denver will sport another Top 10 unit in this respect this coming season? Do you think they can be even better than last year? Sound off in the comments and let me know!

As always, thank you for reading. Here is today’s slate of articles for Horse Tracks.

Broncos News & Tidbits

Broncos LT Garett Bolles gushes over 'freak of nature' Bo Nix after impressive rookie season
The Denver Broncos' expectations for 2025 have been raised in large part thanks to QB Bo Nix. Offensive tackle Garett Bolles discussed Nix's impact on the franchise during a Wednesday appearance on NFL Network's "The Insiders."

Evan Engram praises Broncos QB Bo Nix's brain and mentality as impressive
Evan Engram praised Broncos quarterback Bo Nix's mentality as he joins Denver on a two-year deal, impressed by the rookie's talent and work ethic that led the team to playoffs.

Denver Broncos' Garett Bolles helps Elizabeth nonprofit with wildfire mitigation
Garett Bolles traded Empower Field for a ranch in Elizabeth to help USAA and Team Rubicon with wildfire mitigation efforts at Eagle's Nest Ranch.

Broncos special teams coach gives his thoughts on Marvin Mims
"I’ve always admired him," Broncos ST coordinator Darren Rizzi said of Marvin Mims.

NFL News & Tidbits

Saints QB Tyler Shough ready to deal with ups, downs of being rookie starter: 'You're not going to faze me if we start off 0-2 or I (expletive) suck
Following Derek Carr's retirement, Saints rookie QB Tyler Shough's poised to take on the starting spot should he emerge victorious from a QB battle and is ready to ride the rollercoaster ahead.

Top five NFL draft values of the millennium at OL: Jason Kelce massive steal for Eagles
Which NFL draft picks on the offensive line have provided the best value since the turn of the century 25 years ago? Eric Edholm reveals his top five rankings, a list led by a sixth-round selection.

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers: Playing with DK Metcalf a 'big reason why I'm in Pittsburgh'
Upon saying the 2025 season will likely be his last, Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers said on "The Pat McAfee Show" that a big reason he landed in Pittsburgh was playing with wide receiver DK Metcalf.

Niners TE George Kittle plans to play in NFL until 'I don't have fun anymore'
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, is set to enter his ninth season in the NFL, recently said that he plans to play in the NFL until "I don't have fun anymore."

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025...ks-the-broncos-defensive-line-8th-best-in-nfl

 

[Denver Broncos]

Can you guess this Broncos receiver in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Broncos player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Broncos fans! We’re back for another day of the Mile High Report in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Mile High Report in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Monday, June 23, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Behind the Mile High Report in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Broncos player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/6/26/24456266/sb-nation-broncos-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Denver Broncos]

Can Will Sherman claim a roster spot in 2025?

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Will Sherman has been a practice squad player so far in his short time with the Broncos. Can he make the jump in 2025?

Will Sherman entered the NFL in 2021, drafted by the New England Patriots in the 6th round. After a short career there, the Denver Broncos signed him in September of 2022.

He’s been a practice squad player since that time with the Broncos and has yet to crack the depth chart for a roster spot with the team.

Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Player Profile​

Height: 6’4” | Weight: 300 pounds | Age: 26 years old

Experience: 1 year | College: Colorado

How he fits with the Broncos​

Sherman brings versatility to the Broncos, which can be valuable to have in a backup player. He can play both tackle and guard and has been working on snapping as well in recent years. He’s shown a penchant for winning his battles when run blocking.

The question with versatile guys always becomes one about what they can excel at. Sherman, in his short stint with the Broncos, has yet to show that he’s better than any of the four guards in front of him in the depth chart.

Final Word​

Sherman is going to need to really wow in training camp this offseason, or his career with the team is likely over. Most linemen don’t get 4 years to develop before teams look to go younger.

He’s only on a 1 year contract for ~$800k this season, but it is not guaranteed. He needs to show the coaches that he can outplay at least Nick Gargiulo, Clay Webb, and Calvin Throckmorton if he wants to keep that paycheck in 2025.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/6/28/24457316/denver-broncos-will-sherman-claim-roster-spot-2025

 

[Denver Broncos]

Broncos safety Keidron Smith is fighting for a roster spot in a crowded secondary

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Keidron Smith surprised and made the final 53-man roster for the Denver Broncos in 2024. Will he be able to find a way to do so again this season?

The Denver Broncos had one of the strongest secondaries in the National Football League in 2024.

This offseason, they added to that strength via a mixture of signings in free agency, the 2025 NFL Draft, and several undrafted players. Without question, the training camp battles for the backup spots on the roster on the backend of the team’s defense will be some of the most competitive.

Last year, former Kentucky Wildcat and Ole Miss Rebel defensive back Keidron Smith surprised and initially made the Broncos’ final 53-man roster after an impressive training camp and preseason. He spent nine games on the active roster and recorded a significant amount of special team's snaps. However, he was waived and placed on the practice squad in the lead up to last year’s trade deadline.

Will Smith be able to reclaim a spot on this year’s roster after being waived midseason and assigned to the practice squad in ‘24? Let’s discuss.

Keidron Smith with his 2nd INT of the preseason for the @Broncos!

: #GBvsDEN on @NFLNetwork
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/triUCsduhj

— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2024

Player Profile​

Age: 25 | Experience: 3 | School: Kentucky (via Ole Miss) | Height: 6’2” | Weight: 210 pounds

Bench Press: 14 reps | Arm Length: 31-1/4” | Vertical Jump: 36 inches | Broad: 10’6”

40-yard dash: 4.61 seconds | 10-Yard Split: 1.82 seconds | 3-Cone: 7.19 seconds

Keidron Smith’s 2025 outlook with the Broncos​

Smith went undrafted during the 2023 NFL Draft and spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders as a practice squad player that season. A cornerback with 41 career starters between Kentucky and Ole Miss, Smith has impressive size and length but lacks the speed to stick out on the boundary in the NFL.

He was an extremely productive college player that had good ball skills and did a good job holding his own at cornerback. However, he had average testing results, and his lack of long-speed led to a transition to safety. Nevertheless, he was able to showcase his ball skills over camp and the preseason and was able to pick off a few passes and make the team last season.

He only played a few defensive snaps last year but played 50-percent of the team’s special team’s snaps in the nine games he was on the active roster. In order to make the team this year, Smith will have to stand out in that phase and show he picked up more of Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph’s playbook to earn a spot on the roster.

Final Thoughts​

The Broncos sport a lot of depth and competition at the safety position. The team carried six cornerbacks and five safeties on the initial final 53-man roster in 2024. As of now, the team has eight safeties battling for presumptively five spots.

Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, and P.J. Locke are the three players I feel are the safe locks for the roster. That leaves five players fighting for two spots. As mentioned above, standing out on special teams and making the most of his time in defensive reps during the preseason will be paramount in order to make the team. If he can do that, he should have a good shot to make the roster, but at the very least would be a quality addition to the practice squad.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/6/29/24457844/broncos-roster-review-safey-keidron-smith

 

[Denver Broncos]

Can you guess this Broncos linebacker in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Broncos player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Broncos fans! We’re back for another day of the Mile High Report in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Mile High Report in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Saturday, June 28, 2025
Friday, June 27, 2025
Thursday, June 26, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Behind the Mile High Report in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Broncos player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/6/29/24458262/sb-nation-broncos-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Denver Broncos]

Broncos roster review: cornerback Mario Goodrich

Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Does the former undrafted CB have a shot at the Bronco practice squad?

Mario Goodrich was on the 2018 National Champion Clemson Tiger team that produced a load of NFL talent on both sides of the ball. On defense that team had:

• Isaiah Simmons LB
• AJ Terrell CB
• Tanner Muse S
• K’Von Wallace S
• Clelin Ferrell DE
• Christian Wilkins DT
• Dexter Lawrence DT
• Trayvon Mullen CB
• Austin Bryant DE
• Baylon Specter LB
• Andrew Booth CB

So Mario had plenty of players to help him learn and to lean on. He went undrafted out of Clemson, but was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted college free agent after the 2022 draft. He made Eagles practice squad in 2022 and appeared in four games for the Eagles, starting one in 2023. He did not play in a game for the New York Giants and then played for the Birmingham Stallions on the UFL in 2025 where he recorded 17 tackles, a tackle for loss, six passes defensed and three forced fumbles.

• June 18, 2025: The Denver Broncos signed CB Mario Goodrich.
• August 27, 2024: The New York Giants waived CB Mario Goodrich with an injury designation.
• July 31, 2024: The New York Giants claimed CB Mario Goodrich off waivers.
• July 30, 2024: The Philadelphia Eagles released CB Mario Goodrich.
• January 18, 2024: The Philadelphia Eagles sign DB Mario Goodrich to a reserve/future contract.
• October 19, 2023: The Philadelphia Eagles signed DB Mario Goodrich to the practice squad.
• October 17, 2023: The Philadelphia Eagles released CB Mario Goodrich.
• February 15, 2023: The Philadelphia Eagles signed DB Mario Goodrich to a reserve/future contract.
• November 15, 2022: The Philadelphia Eagles assigned DB Mario Goodrich to the practice squad.
• November 14, 2022: The Philadelphia Eagles elevated CB Mario Goodrich to the active roster.
• August 31, 2022: The Philadelphia Eagles signed DB Mario Goodrich to the practice squad.
• August 30, 2022: The Philadelphia Eagles waived DB Mario Goodrich.

Goodrich is not very fast (4.52s 40), or very tall (6’0”) and all that athletic (31.0” vertical) (hence him going undrafted) but he does like to tackle (he got 42 tackles, 2 INTs and 9 PDs in his final college season). He also has a knack for knocking the ball out, a skill that is prized in the NFL.

The cornerback room for the Denver Broncos is loaded with talent so I doubt that Mario even has a shot at the practice squad, but he could surprise. There are ten other CBs currently on the Bronco roster:

1. Jaden Robinson
2. Joshua Pickett
3. Damarri Mathis
4. Pat Surtain II
5. Riley Moss
6. Reese Taylor
7. Ja’Quan McMillian
8. Quinton Newsome
9. Jahdae Barron
10. Kris Abrams-Draine

If the Broncos keep five on the active roster, that means that Mario will be competing with five other CBs for a PS spot. I predict the five we keep ont eh active roster will be PS2, Moss, McMillian, Barron and KAD. That means that Goodrich will have more NFL experience than all of the guys with whom he is competing except Damarri Mathis who has 18 NFL starts to his name. Matthis could be a trade candidate since he is still on his rookie deal and he could be desirable to a team that suffers injuries at CB in the preseason. At 26 Matthis is also the oldest CB on the roster. Goodrich is 25.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/6/30/24458976/bronco-roster-mario-goodrich

 

[Denver Broncos]

Broncos RB room looks new and improved as they head into training camp

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Taking a look at the hopefully, new and improved Broncos running back room as we near the start of training camp.

One of the top priorities for the Denver Broncos this past offseason was to improve their running game. Former second-round pick Javonte Williams was coming off back-to-back sluggish and poor seasons after coming back from a major knee injury and left via free agency, and signed with the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime had their struggles as well and left the Broncos with a massive hole in their offense.

Well, they addressed this need in the second round of the draft when they selected UCF running back R.J. Harvey with their 60th overall selection. He is an explosive back who figures to take the Alvin Kamara role in Sean Payton’s offense. Then, the Broncos went out and signed former Chargers and Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins. The veteran back is coming off a productive year for the Chargers and will split time with Harvey in the Broncos' backfield.

These two figure to be the main two backs in the Broncos backfield, but the rest of the backs, including McLaughlin, Estime, Badie, and Watson, will all be competing for a spot on the 53-man roster or practice squad. Let’s take a look at the Broncos’ running backs and their roles, expectations, and chances of making the team as we approach the start of training camp.

Running Backs​

R.J. Harvey - Starter

Explosive rookie running back R.J. Harvey is expected to have a big and key role in the Broncos' offense this upcoming season. He is an explosive runner who broke off multiple long runs in college, but will also be used in the passing game. He was not used in the passing game much in college, but Sean Payton believes he has the talent to flourish in that role with the Broncos. As we know, Payton loves to utilize his running backs in the passing game, and Harvey has the speed and explosive ability to be a weapon in space.

Nearly 13 minutes of highlights of new Broncos RB RJ Harveypic.twitter.com/Lsqu1GStgT

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) April 26, 2025​

He is going to split time with Dobbins, who is more of your short-yardage and third-down guy, but will still see plenty of touches throughout the game for the Broncos. I believe Harvey is going to be an impact player for the Broncos right away and give them a much-needed big-play threat on the ground and in the passing game.

J.K. Dobbins - Starter

Earlier this month, the Broncos signed veteran running back J.K. Dobbins. The former Chargers running back is coming off a very productive 2024 season and instantly improves the Broncos' running back room. While Harvey fills that Alvin Kamara role, look for Dobbins to fill that Mark Ingram role in Sean Payton’s offense. He will likely see most of the short-yardage and goal-line work while likely coming in on third downs as a pass blocker.

This is a solid signing by the Broncos and one that raises the floor of their running back room. Before he was signed, the question was, could Audric Estime be that guy? We had some hopes that he could, but now, we know Dobbins can be that guy. He does come with some injury concerns, but you have to trust the Broncos' strength and conditioning team to get him in a good spot to hopefully avoid any injuries this upcoming season.

Jaleel McLaughlin - Backup/Roster bubble?

The former undrafted free agent has been a key part of the Broncos' running game the past two seasons, but now could be fighting for a roster spot. With Harvey and Dobbins being your RB 1’s and 2’s, that leaves one or maybe two roster spots available for the rest of the Broncos running backs. McLaughlin likely is the safest of the remaining backs, but is far from a lock to make the team.

While he plays bigger than his size, he is a 5-7, 187-pound running back who is limited due to his size. He doesn’t offer much as a pass blocker due to his size, and surprisingly, he offers very little as a pass catcher. With all that said, he is a slasher in the running game that can break off some explosive runs. We could also see him be used in the kick return game, as the NFL changed the touchback rules once again.

After Harvey and Dobbins, the running back shuffle is up in the air, and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out, especially with McLaughlin.

Audric Estime - Backup/Roster bubble?

Like McLaughlin, 2024 fifth-round pick Audric Estime could find himself on the roster bubble. He is behind Harvey and Dobbins on the depth chart and is coming off a mostly disappointing rookie season, where he failed to take advantage of the multiple opportunities presented to him.

Unlike McLaughlin, he is a bigger back who flourishes between the tackles and has the strength and body type to be a pass blocker on third downs. However, he really struggled as a runner late in the season and was a healthy scratch for the Broncos in their wildcard game vs. the Bills. Then the team added Harvey and Dobbins in the offseason, which left Estime on the roster bubble.

I think he has a good shot to make the team since he is the only other “power back” on the roster besides Dobbins, who comes with legit injury concerns. With that said, he will still need to have a strong summer if he wants to make the team because the team could look outside the organization for their RB3 or RB4 as well.

Tyler Badie - The Wildcard

Tyler Badie burst onto the scene during the Broncos' victory vs. the Bucs in week 3, where he busted off a long run late in the game. However, a scary back injury the following week vs. the Jets sidelined him until the postseason, when he was activated onto the roster over Estime for their wildcard game vs. the Bills.

Tyler Badie showing off the wheels for 43 yards

: #DENvsTB on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/fVtu9A8n6o

— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024​

I have listed him as a wildcard because he could make the roster over both McLaughlin and Estime. He is an explosive runner, has pass-catching upside, and was singled out as a “very good” pass blocker by Head Coach Sean Payton. When you’re looking for an RB3 or RB4, you are looking for a back who can contribute in multiple areas. If Badie can be a productive runner, pass-catcher, and a reliable blocker, he could make the team.

It would be a surprise if he made the team over a McLaughlin or Estime, but I still wouldn’t rule it out. He seems like a player Sean Payton really seems to like, so we’ll see how he does throughout training camp and the preseason. If he doesn’t make the team, he seems like a lock to be on the Broncos' practice squad once again this season.

Blake Watson - Outside looking in

The undrafted rookie running back made the team last season but did very little throughout the year. Now, he enters year two on the outside looking in currently and is dealing with some sort of injury that has sidelined him for a number of OTA and minicamp practices.

Of the backs currently on the roster, he has the longest odds of making the 53-man roster. He saw limited playing time last season, and now the team has added two new backs to the roster. So, Watson has an uphill battle if he wants to make the team. On top of that, he missed some valuable OTA and minicamp practices this offseason.

If healthy, Watson does have the skill set Sean Payton looks for in a running back. He can be a productive rusher, but also has legit receiving upside as well. He is a former receiver, and you saw that part of his game in his college tape. If he can have a strong summer, he could push McLaughlin and Badie for a roster spot, but again, he faces an uphill battle to do that.

He is likely a practice squad candidate, but I am not sure if he is a lock for one of those spots right now.

Michael Burton - Starting Fullback

Michael Burton re-signed with the Broncos this offseason and will return as their lead blocker and core special teamer once again this season. Fullbacks are a dying breed, so he could be on the roster bubble, but I think he’ll be around in some capacity this upcoming season.

We could see him placed on the practice squad early on, like last season, to open up a roster spot for someone else early on. Either way, I think we’ll see Burton make the team once again this year and be a key member of the Broncos' rushing game and special teams.

Final Thoughts

The running back duo of R.J. Harvey and J.K. Dobbins should give the Broncos a very good rushing attack this upcoming season. These two should be an immediate and massive upgrade over what the Broncos had last season and help the offense reach its potential this upcoming season.

The real question is, what happens behind these two? Will one of Jaleel McLaughlin or Audric Estime not make the team? Will both make the team? What about Badie? Could Blake Watson surprise? We also cannot rule out an outside addition after cuts as well, especially after a loaded rookie class likely costing a number of players jobs this summer.

It’ll be exciting to see how this room shakes out moving forward but competition is always good and hopefully leads to a much improved Broncos rushing game this upcoming season.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/1/24456459/broncos-2025-positional-review-running-backs

 

[Denver Broncos]

Who was the best goal line quarterback in the NFL in 2024?

Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

It wasn’t Bo Nix, but he was quite good last season.

Joe Burrow was involved in 74 goal-to-go (GtG) plays as a passer or as a runner in 2024, but only 24 of those resulted in TDs. While that TD number was the highest in the league for goal-to-go plays, his 32.4% TD rate was actually fairly low when you compare to the best goal-to-go QBs in the NFL in 2024.

Dak Prescot only had eight goal-to-go plays in 2024 but five of those resulted in a TD - 62.5%. Jalen Hurts had 37 plays and 21 of them went for TDs, but he actually had more runs (22) than passes (15). He did not take a GtG sack in 2024.

Among full-time starters, Bo Nix was the third best goal-to-go QB - scoring on 17 of 35 plays in which he was the passer, runner or receiver. Nix did take three GtG sacks in 2024.

For those looking for reasons why Kirk Cousins was benched look no further than his performance on GtG plays. When you only gets TDs on four of eighteen plays despite having an elite RB and an elite TE, you get benched.

Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen were beasts on GtG plays because of their run/pass double threat, but Bo Nix was right up there with them, albeit with fewer opportunities because of the inefficiency of the Bronco offense for much of the season.

I was a little surprised to see just how poor Russell Wilson and Geno Smith were in GtG passing in 2024. That might be why both are new teams in 2025.

48.6 percent of the time when Bo Nix was actively (not handing off) involved in goal-to-go plays in 2024, the Denver Broncos scored a TD. It gets even more impressive when you look at his first two games compared to the rest of the season. In his first two games of his rookie campaign, Nix was only involved in three goal-to-go plays: one TD run, one INT and one incomplete. That INT was his only goal-to-go INT of the season. This includes a stretch at the end of the season where Nix got a TD on 8 of 10 GtG plays with only two of those coming on third down.

Bo was relatively effective on 3rd or 4th and goal in 2024. Nix got a TD on 60% of his chances (that catch was on 3rd and goal). Only Jared Goff, Bryce Young, Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray were better in 2024 (minimum 5 plays). Matthew Stafford’s one of twelve is telling.

If you look at the success or failure of other Broncos on GtG plays, other Broncos ran the ball 27 times and scored on 7 - 26% success rate.

Player	Att	Yds	TD
Javonte Williams	13	21	3
Jaleel McLaughlin	7	14	1
Audric Estime	4	12	2
Bo Nix	5	10	3
Michael Burton	3	3	1
Totals	32	60	10

Only Estime was close to Nix in GtG efficiency, scoring on two of his four carries.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/2/24459944/best-goal-line-quarterback-in-nfl-2024

 

[Denver Broncos]

The Broncos' tight end room has a ‘Joker’ in Evan Engram and a lottery ticket in Caleb Lohner.

Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images

Evan Engram gives the Broncos their ‘Joker’ tight end while Caleb Lohner could become the next Jimmy Graham.

The Broncos' tight end room lacked a true receiving threat last season after former third-round pick Greg Dulcich was released and Lucas Krull failed to impress. That left Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins to be the Broncos' top receiving threats at tight end. Both of which had their moments, but both are known for their blocking skills, not their receiving skills. So, finding Sean Payton his ‘Joker’ at the tight end position was a priority for the Broncos this offseason.

Thankfully, the Jaguars released veteran tight end Evan Engram, who quickly visited the Broncos and ended up signing with the team after a quick cup of coffee with the Chargers. He instantly slots in as Sean Payton’s ‘Joker’ and becomes one of the top pass-catching options in his offense. The Broncos did not stop there because with their final pick in the draft, they selected a bit of a lottery ticket. They selected former Utah tight end Caleb Lohner, who is a former basketball player transitioning to tight end. The last time Sean Payton drafted a former basketball player transitioning to tight end, he drafted Jimmy Graham. They ended up working out pretty well for him, and he has not shied away from making the comparison.

pic.twitter.com/jwfGNPYZ9i

— Evan Engram (@eazyengram) March 13, 2025​

Outside of those two additions, you have veteran Adam Trautman returning, along with blocking specialist Nate Adkins. They give the Broncos traditional inline blockers who will help out in the running game while also contributing in the passing game occasionally as well.

With all that said, let’s take a look at the Broncos’ tight end and their roles, expectations, and chances of making the team as we approach the start of training camp.

Tight Ends​

Evan Engram - Starter

The Broncos' big offensive addition during free agency was signing Evan Engram. The productive pass-catching tight end will slot in as Sean Payton’s ‘Joker’ and give quarterback Bo Nix another talented pass-catching threat in the middle of the field.

He is likely going to line up in the slot or outside in Payton’s offense and could be the top-targeted player in the Broncos' passing attack. Sean Payton loves to utilize the quick-passing game, and Bo Nix specializes in getting the ball out quickly. Engram will likely benefit from this and be a high-volume pass catcher for the Broncos like he was with the Jaguars.

He is coming off a shoulder injury and will turn 31 years old in September, so you have to keep that in mind, but he is an upgrade over what they had, regardless.

Adam Trautman - Starter

I am listing Trautman as a starter because he will likely be used like one this upcoming season. Engram is going to play mostly receiver, which will leave Trautman to be your traditional in-line tight end. This is the role he has held the past two seasons, and the former Sean Payton draft pick with the Saints is likely locked into a roster spot on the Broncos this upcoming season.

BO NIX THROWS HIS 2ND TD OF THE GAME TO TRAUTMAN WHO MAKES A BEAUTIFUL ONE-HANDED CATCH ON NATIONAL TE DAY!!

LOUD NOISES!!!pic.twitter.com/l0xZBEMAPt

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) October 27, 2024​

This is the sort of role Payton envisioned for him when he traded for him, but Greg Dulcich and others struggled to take over the receiving role, which made Trautman more of a full-time player. With that said, he can contribute as a pass-catcher when needed and should pair nicely with Engram.

Nate Adkins - Blocking specialist and Core Special Teamer

Former undrafted rookie Nate Adkins has quickly become a favorite of Head Coach Sean Payton. He does all the dirty work and does it well. He is likely the Broncos' best run-blocking tight end on the roster, he can play fullback if needed, and is a core special-teams player. These are not the flashiest of roles, but roles that need to be filled on an NFL roster.

I believe we’ll see him in two tight end sets with Trautman, like we did last season in short-yardage and goal-line situations. We will also see him used in the passing game on occasion while also being a key member of the Broncos' special teams units.

I believe he is locked into a roster spot and one of these blue-collar players that Sean Payton seems to really like.

Caleb Lohner - The Lottery Ticket

The 7th-round rookie had 4 career catches in college, all of which were touchdowns. He is an incredibly raw developmental player who does have some intriguing upside.

He is a 6’7, 250-pound tight end with 4.69 speed, long arms, and the potential to be a red zone nightmare for defenses. He needs a lot of development, but Sean Payton seems high on his potential, and I am intrigued to see how he looks in training camp and the preseason.

I believe he will be on the 53-man roster due to his upside and the team's unwillingness to subject him to waivers, much like they did with Frank Crum last year. Outside of that, it is difficult to project what he will be moving forward, but he will be one of the more intriguing players to watch during training camp and the preseason.

Lucas Krull - Out of Chances

Lucas Krull has been given multiple chances and opportunities to step up and fill the receiving role for the Broncos the past two seasons. Despite multiple Greg Dulcich injuries and being released by the team, Krull failed to step up in his absence and is now on the outside looking in after the Engram and Lohner additions.

There was some Lucas Krull hype this time last year, but Payton pushed back on that when asked about it, and he failed to really stand out during camp, the preseason, and the regular season. Now, he will need to finally have his breakout year if he wants to make the team.

He is a possible practice squad candidate, but we will have to see what they do with Lohner and if they add from the outside.

Caden Prieskorn - Practice Squad candidate

The Broncos signed Prieskorn late in the spring, and he will now look to push for a spot on their practice squad. He is a blocking first tight end, so he will need to prove he can hold his own against NFL-level talent if he wants to stick around. If he does, he has a shot to stick on the practice squad.

After Trautman and Adkins, the Broncos do not have another blocking specialist on the roster, so he will have a shot to fill that role. If not, there will be a number of other veterans and younger players who can fill this role after the final cutdown period.

Final Thoughts​

Evan Engram is the key player in this group. They need the veteran tight end to stay healthy and be productive. He was brought in to be their ‘Joker’ and a key member of their passing offense. So, a lot is riding on the 31-year-old veteran coming off a shoulder injury. I am hopeful he can live up to these expectations and be a major piece to the Broncos' offense.

As for Trautman and Adkins, I don’t think much changes there. Both will have the same roles they had last season and be minimally impacted by the addition of Engram. Lohner is a big unknown with a ton of upside, while Krull and Prieskorn are fighting for a roster spot and/or a spot on the practice squad.

We shall see if Payton and the Broncos continue to add to this room in the coming weeks and months.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/2/24456524/broncos-2025-positional-review-tight-end

 

[Denver Broncos]

Broncos 2025 positional review: Wide Receiver

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

The Denver Broncos have a lot of talented players at the wide receiver position. The growth and development of the group will be one of the best storylines to watch this season.

The Denver Broncos have a lot of youth and potential at the wide receiver.

It’s one of the position groups on the roster that could really help take the Broncos to the next level if several of the players improve and begin to hit their stride. Longtime veteran Courtland Sutton, entering his eighth year, is the leader of the group. Outside of him, most players battling for a position have less than three years of experience in the National Football League.

Over the past three drafts, the Broncos have added Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele, and Pat Bryant. In addition to Sutton, those five make up one of the most talented receiving corps the franchise has fielded in recent memory. How Head Coach Sean Payton will choose to utilize and divvy up the target share amongst the group will be one of the more interesting developments and storylines to follow this season.

With training camp just a few weeks away, let’s dive into the Broncos’ receiving corps for the 2025 season.

2025 Denver Broncos Wide Receiver Review​

Courtland Sutton — Starter — Top Target Share

Entering the final year of his contract, Sutton is the elder statesmen of the Broncos’ receiving corps and likely top target for quarterback Bo Nix for the 2025 season. Though his future in the Mile High City is uncertain.

Throughout his career, Sutton has consistently wowed with his acrobatic highlight reel catches. Alas, issues with drops and average catch-rates on an annual basis have hindered his production. Though in his defense, he has had to work with a lot of different quarterbacks—several of which who struggle with accuracy. But with Nix at the helm, there should be a lot more consistency and chemistry between the two in ‘25.

In just two years in Payton’s offense, Sutton has racked up 18 touchdowns—which is more than what he had in his first five seasons combined. His 140 receptions and 1,853 yards in that timeframe are also the most for the franchise. I would expect Sutton to receive the most looks in the passing game this season. Last year, he had a career high 135 targets—though I could envision a slight decrease in that for a variety of factors.

His 60-percent catch percentage in 2024 was average, but 57 of his 81 receptions moved the chains or resulted in a touchdown. With a modest rise of efficiency to catch percentage, it’s quite possible Sutton could have the best year of his career to date—but whether or not it is his last with the franchise is also something to keep note of.

Bo Nix goes up to Courtland Sutton for the big gain! That puts Sutton over 1000 receiving yards for the season.

: #KCvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/8T5JkfQ5sa

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025

DeVaughn Vele — Starter — Projected #2 WR in Target Share

The 26-year-old rookie from Utah surprised last offseason with an impressive training camp and preseason that earned him a spot on the final 53-man roster.

Tough, physical and with an impressive wingspan, Vele’s presence on the field offers a mismatch opportunity against smaller cornerbacks who can’t compete with his size. With the Josh Reynolds saga coming to a screeching and unexpected halt, Vele filled the void and became a quality chain-moving option for the Broncos.

In thirteen games with seven starts, Vele sported a quality 74.5-percent catch percentage, reeling in 41 of his 55 targets for 475 yards and three touchdowns. Of those 41 receptions. 26 of them went for first downs. Had he not dealt with lingering injuries, he would have had even more production.

In my opinion, Vele was one of the big surprises from last season. While he may not be as explosive as some of the other receivers athletically, he is a sure-handed target that proved to be reliable when called upon. I wouldn’t sleep on Payton having larger plans for him in ‘25—and I think he is poised to be the second receiver, as far as target share goes, for the upcoming campaign.

Marvin Mims Jr. — All-Pro Returner — Unique Offensive Weapon

Earning All-Pro and Pro-Bowl honors in his first two seasons in the NFL, Mims has made an impact as a returner. However, his contributions as a receiver to date might best be described as modest. On the bright side, things seemed to click for him toward the end of his ‘24 campaign and did improve upon his rookie campaign.

It took some time for him to be a steady fixture in Payton’s offense, but he was utilized in a myriad of fashions late last season and made some impact plays. I thought the use of him in motion and out of the backfield was a welcomed wrinkle to the team’s offensive dynamic. Over the course of seventeen games, he logged 503 yards, 39 catches, and 6 touchdowns last season on 52 targets.

I don’t envision a 1,000 receiving yard season for the former Sooners standout, but if he can continue to build upon his late season efforts, reeling in 50 receptions and getting over 750 yards wouldn’t be a surprise. I have no doubt that with Payton’s creativity, he will be able to scheme him up for maximum effectiveness and become a quality complimentary weapon for the offense.

Marvin Mims’ yards per route run rose from 1.54 in 2023 to 2.37 in 2024.

He also led Denver’s starting WRs in target per route rate at 24 percent, up from nine percent in 2023.

Although his snap percentage was low, the huge improvements in efficiency are hard to ignore. pic.twitter.com/7mfN4wSOlY

— Zareh Kantzabedian (@ZKantzFF) June 24, 2025

Troy Franklin — Backup Role

The Broncos moved up to the early portion of the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft to select Franklin and reunite him with Nix.

His rookie season was a series of highs and lows. In sixteen games, the former Oregon Duck had 23 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, he was credited three drops on 53 targets and had a paltry catch-percentage of 53-percent. Out of the three young receivers on the roster last year, he was the least effective and his play was the most inconsistent.

However, his speed and ability to separate are intriguing traits that should bode well for him in his second season. If he can clean up the drops and down-the-field ball tracking issues, I would expect a decent rise in production. However, he will have to make the most of the opportunities. There are only so many targets to go around.

Pat Bryant — Backup Role — Wildcard Player

The Broncos picked Illinois standout Pat Bryant in the third-round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

On multiple occasions over the offseason, Payton discussed how Bryant reminds him of Michael Thomas. That’s lofty praise, though I wouldn’t expect that kind of an impact in his first season in the pros. Of any player in the group. I think Bryant is the biggest wildcard.

He’s physical, a good run blocker, and has strong hands—but will he be able to pick up the playbook quickly enough to carve a role for himself early on? That remains to be seen, but the long-term upside here is significant.

If the Broncos aren’t able to come to terms on a contract extension with Sutton, Bryant’s future prospects and target share for the team should skyrocket in subsequent seasons.

"There were so many parts of his game that reminded me of Michael Thomas"

Sean Payton on WR Pat Bryant pic.twitter.com/rMwbnUaPid

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 26, 2025

Everyone Else — Fighting for the Sixth Roster Spot | Special Teams Role

Trent Sherfield Sr., A.T. Perry, Michael Bandy, and undrafted free agents Joaquin Davis, Courtney Jackson, and Kyrese White are the other six players vying for a roster spot. Given Sherfield’s experience in the league and being a quality special team’s player, I would slot him in as the presumptive sixth receiver for the squad.

Final Thoughts

When you take a look at the history of Payton offenses, there is one common theme that really sticks out. The number one receiver, number one running back, and top tight end usually have the most targets in the passing game. With Evan Engram in the fold and multiple additions made at running back, I’d expect that to be the case this season.

Quite often, the second, third, and fourth receivers in his offense usually receive less target share than the aforementioned. Last year, Mims, Vele and Franklin were all in the fifties in that respect with no clear advantage. All things considered, I do expect all three to increase their efficiency and productivity in ‘25, though I would be floored if any of them topple the 1,000-yard mark.

Without question, it’s a crowded room with a lot of potential. How the young receivers acclimate to another year in the big leagues and perform throughout camp and the preseason will be a big factor in how Payton chooses to concoct his target share and game planning for the season. I’m excited to see how it plays out.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/3/24456535/broncos-2025-positional-review-wide-receiver

 

[Denver Broncos]

The Broncos offensive line is full of continuity and ranks among the best in the entire NFL

The Broncos offensive line is full of continuity and ranks as one of best units in the NFL.

The Denver Broncos' offensive line has gone from being a weakness to being a strength of this team. Head Coach Sean Payton put an emphasis on improving the line play when he was hired, and three years later, we are seeing the benefits of that.

Not only has the Broncos' offensive line graded out among the best in the league the past two seasons, but they have continuity throughout the unit. Four of the five starting offensive linemen will be entering their third season together, and all five starters from last season will be returning this year. On top of that, many of their key reserves will be returning as well, along with a few intriguing undrafted free agents added to the mix.

This line features longtime left tackle Garett Bolles, who recently signed an extension with the team, All-Pro guard Quinn Meinerz, who is arguably the best guard in the league, and right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who has solved the Broncos' right tackle problem.

With all that said, let’s take a look at the Broncos’ offensive line and their roles, expectations, and chances of making the team as we approach the start of training camp.

Starters​

Left Tackle - Garett Bolles​

The Broncos' longtime left tackle returns for his 9th season with the team and his second as Bo Nix’s blindside blocker. While Bolles has received criticism throughout his time with the Broncos, mostly for his holding calls, he has become a solid overall left tackle. He rarely misses games, kept Nix clean last season, and has cut down on the number of holding calls called against him.

The #Broncos and LT Garett Bolles have agreed to terms on a 4-year, $82M contract extension with upside to $86M. He gets $42M guaranteed.

Bolles locked in to protect Bo Nix’s blindside. pic.twitter.com/CFBF3MdwzF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2024​

Bolles signed a four-year $82 million dollar extension with the Broncos in December so he will be starting left tackle for the foreseeable future.

Left Guard - Ben Powers​

Powers is entering the third year of his four-year deal with the Broncos and has been a solid left guard for them during his time with the team. He has been a key and consistent member of the offensive line and has appeared in all 17 games for the Broncos the past two seasons.

He will look to continue his solid play for the Broncos this upcoming season and hopefully be a consistent member of their offensive line once again this year.

Center - Luke Wattenberg​

Wattenberg won the center competition last season for the Broncos and filled the void left behind by Lloyd Cushenberry, who signed with the Titans during free agency. He did miss a few weeks due to injury, but when he was on the field, he played rather well. We did see him struggle against more powerful linemen in the run game, but overall, he played well.

Now, he will enter the final year of his rookie deal and look to earn himself some money in free agency next year.

Right Guard - Quinn Meinerz​

The Belly earned First-Team All-Pro honors last season and is arguably one of the best offensive linemen in the league. He keeps defenders off quarterback Bo Nix, is a mauler in the run game, and pancakes defenders in the open field.

Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

He is the Broncos' best offensive lineman and one of the key members on their offense. Look for running backs RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins to run behind Meinerz, who will be opening run lanes for the Broncos' talented backs.

Right Tackle - Mike McGlinchey​

The Broncos signed McGlinchey back in 2023 and finally solved their longtime question at right tackle. While he has not been perfect, he has stabilized the position and has been a key member of the Broncos' top-ranked offensive line. He is a mauler in the run game who occasionally has issues with speed rushers, but overall, has been a solid right tackle for the Broncos.

He has only missed a total of 5 games the past two seasons for the Broncos and will look to be a consistent force for them once again this season. I believe he looked better as a pass blocker last season (Bo Nix effect), so hopefully, we see that again this upcoming season.

Notable Backups​

Swing Tackle - Matt Peart​

Peart signed with the Broncos last season and served as a reliable swing tackle who filled in at times at both tackle spots and played fairly well. This earned him a two-year deal from the team during the offseason, and now he is likely locked into the Broncos' swing tackle role for this upcoming season.

OFFICIAL: We've re-signed T Matt Peart.

Welcome back, @MatthewPeart65!

» https://t.co/h1jRGNJUkJ pic.twitter.com/O35Qu4dZWH

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 12, 2025​

I would consider him a roster lock at this point, even if Frank Crum and others show promise during the summer. Need to have a reliable swing tackle, and it appears Peart has earned the Broncos' trust to be the guy for that role.

Guard/Tackle - Alex Palczewski​

After showing some promise as a rookie in 2023, Palczewski made the Broncos roster and became a key reserve along the offensive line. He filled in for Mike McGlinchey at right tackle and played well while also seeing some time at guard. This versatility likely locks him into a roster spot on the Broncos, and he will fill the same role that he had last season.

Having a reserve like Palczewski is important because he can fill multiple roles if needed. Injuries happen, and if you need him at guard, he can play there, and if you need him at tackle, he can do that, too. Versatility is nice, but he has also proved he can hold his own out there and not be a liability.

Developmental Upside - Frank Crum​

Frank Crum has the size, length, tools, and athleticism you look for in an offensive tackle; he just needs development. Due to this upside and the team not wanting him to hit the waiver wire, Crum made the 53-man roster and continued his development with the team throughout the year. Now, he has to continue to show growth and development if he wants to make the team.

#Broncos kept OT Frank Crum last year despite clearly being raw. Starting to see a bit of the good a year's done.

Payton: “He’s extremely athletic. ... He can move his feet really well.

"It's his fourth or fifth time (through installs now). You’re able to play a little faster.”

— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) June 5, 2025​

I wouldn’t call Crum a lock at this point, but it seems like it would be a surprise if he did not make the team. They have invested in him and clearly think they can develop him into a contributor in the future. It will be an important summer for Crum, and we will see if he will once again make the Broncos' 53-man roster.

Fighting For A Roster Spot​

Center - Alex Forsyth​

The former seventh-round pick competed for the starting center job last season but lost the competition to Luke Wattenberg. He would then shift into a center/guard reserve role, but did start four games at center while Wattenberg was injured. Unfortunately for Forsyth, nobody really remembers that and only remembers him getting knocked on his ass at Arrowhead and allowing the Chiefs to block the Broncos game-winning field goal attempt.

While he seems like the favorite to be the backup center, he will likely face competition for that role from inside and outside the organization.

Guard - Calvin Throckmorton​

The veteran reserve spent time with Payton with the Saints and then signed with the Broncos last season. He appeared in two games for the team last season and is now pushing for a spot on the Broncos roster.

He has the familiarity with Payton going for him, but the soon-to-be 29-year-old is unlikely to make the 53-man roster and faces competition for a spot on the Broncos' practice squad. He will need a strong summer if he wants to stick around on the Broncos roster this upcoming season.

Guard - Nick Gargiulo​

The 2024 7th-round pick spent the entire season on the Broncos' practice squad last season and will now look to push for a roster spot. We did not see much from him last season, so it is hard to project what he will do this season, but he is probably currently on the outside looking in when it comes to making the team.

If he has a strong summer and shows some versatility, maybe he can push for a guard/center role, but we will have to see. A spot on the practice squad seems like the most likely scenario for Gargiulo if he were to stick around on the Broncos roster.

Tackle - Marques Cox​

The undrafted rookie out of Kentucky will look to push Frank Crum for a spot on the Broncos' 53-man roster. He started 59 career games in college, so he will not be lacking in experience as he pushes for a roster spot.

Ultimately, he seems more likely to land on the Broncos' practice squad, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get some looks inside as well.

Guard/Center - Clay Webb​

The former Georgia recruit who transferred to Jacksonville State and went undrafted due to some since resolved off-the-field stuff might have the best odds of any Broncos UDFA to make the team. If it were not for the off-the-field stuff, Webb likely would have been drafted, but ultimately signed as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos.

He was a top-rated center prospect coming out of high school, but played guard in college. With the Broncos, we will likely see him at center more, especially due to his size, and push Alex Forsyth for a roster spot. I would consider him a lock for the practice squad if he did not make the 53-man roster.

Center/Guard - Joe Michalski​

The former Oklahoma State undrafted rookie Joe Michalski signed with the Broncos and will compete with Alex Forsyth and Clay Webb for the backup center role. He is an undersized but athletic center who will need to prove that he has the strength to hold up against NFL linemen.

Like Webb, he has the potential to push for a spot on the 53-man roster and seems like a strong candidate to make the practice squad at least.

Tackle/Guard - Xavier Truss​

Truss is another undrafted free agent that could push for a spot on the Broncos' 53-man roster. The former Georgia offensive lineman has excellent size, experience and offers versatility as well. He played tackle but also shifted inside to play guard for the Bulldogs in college. This versatility will help him stick around with the Broncos moving forward.

Georgia RT Xavier Truss in the SEC Championship Game:

39 Pass Block Snaps
Zero Sacks Allowed
Zero Pressures Allowed@GeorgiaFootball pic.twitter.com/SiONlEVifY

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 9, 2024​

He joins Webb, Michalski, and Cox as intriguing undrafted rookies who could push for backup jobs along the Broncos' offensive line. I probably see Truss sticking around on the Broncos' practice squad and eventually becoming an Alex Palczewski-type player who can play inside and outside for the Broncos.

Guard - Will Sherman​

The veteran offensive lineman hasn’t played much for the Broncos but has been with the team since 2022. The former Colorado offensive lineman has spent time on the Broncos' practice squad from 2022 through the 2024 season. He was once again signed to a reserve/future contract this offseason and will look to land on the Broncos' practice squad once again.

He must have a fan inside the organization, so until proven otherwise, you have to anticipate Sherman being on the Broncos' practice squad once again this season. However, he will face some stiff competition for that spot from the Broncos' undrafted rookie offensive linemen.

Final Thoughts​

Outside of maybe one or two spots, the Broncos' offensive line seems set in stone, barring any injuries. You have your starting five for a second straight year and four of the five for a third straight year. On top of that, you have key reserves Matt Peart and Alex Palczewski likely locked into roster spots, with Frank Crum a favorite to make the team as well. That leaves maybe one or two spots for the rest to compete for.

I believe the main competition will be for the backup center/guard role that was held by Alex Forsyth last season. Forsyth, along with Webb and Michalski, should be the main players for that job. I think we will see three if not all four, of the Broncos UDFA linemen to make the practice squad, with maybe one of them making the 53-man roster.

Overall, I am happy with all five starters along the offensive line, I like the backups, and I enjoy the continuity Sean Payton and the Broncos have built at this position. We saw a bunch of turnover each year previously, so this is nice to see.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/4/24456616/broncos-2025-positional-review-offensive-line

 

[Denver Broncos]

Can you guess this Broncos center in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Broncos player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

Hey Broncos fans! We’re back for another day of the Mile High Report in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Mile High Report in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Thursday, July 3, 2025
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

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Behind the Mile High Report in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Broncos player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/4/24461525/sb-nation-broncos-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Denver Broncos]

Broncos 2025 positional review: Safety

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Headlined by Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, the Denver Broncos have a talented group of safeties for the upcoming season.

The Denver Broncos showcase one of the most talented secondaries in the National Football League. This offseason, they added key players at both cornerback and safety to keep the backend of their defense strong for the coming 2025 season.

Talanoa Hufanga was the big-named addition to the safety position. If he can remain healthy and revert to his past form, he and Brandon Jones could be one of the top backend duos in football. Veteran P.J. Locke, who Hufanga is replacing as a starter, is the team’s third safety and an experienced player that gives them a quality depth piece at the position.

Outside of them, five other players are hoping to make the team’s 53-man final roster at the position. Last season, the Broncos kept five safeties on their active roster for most of the season. That’s a trend I expect to continue this year. Let’s take a deeper look at the eight players competing at the position this training camp and preseason.

2025 Denver Broncos Safety Review​

Brandon Jones — Starter

Replacing veteran Justin Simmons was a priority for Denver last offseason. After cutting ties with their former third-round pick out of Boston College, they made Brandon Jones one of their splash signings the franchise 2024 free agency period.

The former Miami Dolphins safety had an impactful first season with the Broncos. In 2024, Jones amassed 115 tackles and picked off three passes—career highs for former Texas Longhorn entering his sixth season in the NFL. On top of that, he drastically improved with respect to missed tackles, having a respectable 6.5-percent on the season.

A standout in coverage and against the run, Jones’ play in ‘24 had him recognized as one of the top ten safeties in the league per Pro Football Focus. If he continues to improve and build upon his most successful campaign to date, it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear him earn Pro-Bowl or All-Pro accolades in 2025.

Brandon Jones, @Broncos S - In his first season in Denver, Jones recorded a 90.1 PFF coverage grade in 2024 - ranking 2nd out of 170 qualifying Safeties in the NFL. #NFL #BroncosCountry #Broncos #Denver #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/o8uPsxoBhc

— Pro Football Hall of Fame Ambassador (@PFHOFAmbassador) March 3, 2025

Talanoa Hufanga — Starter

Once an All-Pro player in 2022, injuries have hampered Talanoa Hufanga’s ability to make an impact on the field—relegating him to just 17 games played the past two seasons.

The Broncos are hoping the injuries are behind Hufanga who made reward him with a lucrative contract in free agency. This offseason, they signed him to a three-year deal worth $45 million dollars with $20 million in guarantees. A tone-setter on the backend who plays with passion and ferocity, the fifth-year pro should present an upgrade to P.J. Locke who struggled last year in an expanded role in the Broncos’ defense.

When he is on the field, he is a force to be reckoned with. The only concern I have is his availability. If he is able to stay healthy, he should play a focal role in helping shut down opposing team’s passing attacks and form a top-tier tandem alongside Jones.

P.J. Locke — Quality Depth and Special Teams Player

With Jones and Hufanga in the fold as starters, that means P.J Locke is bumped from the starting lineup.

Last season, Locke was second on the team in defensive snaps, logging 1,000 on the season. However, he struggled down the stretch and showed some issues in coverage. On top of playing through a broken thumb last year, he recently revealed on social media that he was playing with a back injury too—serious enough to require spinal fusion surgery at the end of the season. That could definitely explain some of the issues he had on the field and why the Broncos were so quick to sign Hufanga in free agency.

Overall, Locke’s experience on defense and special teams make him a quality third safety in the rotation. In the event any of the starters would miss time, at least the Broncos have a veteran behind them to take their place if called upon. Unfortunately, the big wrench in this forecast is Locke’s health. We are all wishing and hoping for the best with his recovery and hope he can continue his NFL career without issue.

J.L. Skinner — Backup Depth and Special Teams

Entering his third season with the Broncos, J.L. Skinner boasts an impressive size and speed. But what bodes best for his shot at making the roster is the fact he has been a focal part of their special team's unit. He had the second most special teams’ snaps of any player in ‘24 with 312 and figures to play a big role in that respect this coming season.

Unfortunately, we have yet to witness any impact in defensive snaps from the former Boise State standout. However, it’s important to note he has had a handful of quality safeties ahead of him in his first two years in the league. Nevertheless, his traits and athleticism can’t be taught and his ability to wreak havoc in coverage units is notable. That’s why I have him slated as the fourth safety to make the Broncos’ final 53-man roster.

Your weekly big J.L. Skinner hit on special teams. pic.twitter.com/LBM5vTAoTv

— Let’s Talk Broncos PR (@TheLTBPodcastPR) October 18, 2024

Everyone Else — Fighting for the Fifth Safety Spot | Special Teams

Outside of the aforementioned, Devon Key, Sam Franklin Jr., Keidron Smith, and Delarrin Turner-Yell are four players battling it out for the presumptive last spot.

Franklin Jr. was signed for his special team’s play after announcing Darren Rizzi as their new Special Teams and Assistant Head Coach. With that in mind, it’s quite possible his prowess on coverage units might give him the one-up on some of the others competing for spots. He has a lot of experience in that regard and has over 2,000 defensive and special teams' snaps combined in his career.

But I expect it to be a hard-fought battle. It’s worth mentioning Smith and Key shined last preseason and camp. They logged multiple turnovers, and both spent time on the Broncos’ active roster last season. Prior to his knee injury that kept him out all of last season, Turner-Yell was fixture on special teams in his first two seasons in the NFL.

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of interesting camp battles at multiple positions, but the competition at safety might be one of the most competitive. If the Broncos opt to follow last year’s roster formula at safety, they will carry five for the 2025 season. With uncertainty around Locke’s health after the news above, it certainly throws a curveball into projecting how the team will finalize the position group.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/5/24459302/broncos-2025-positional-review-safety

 

[Denver Broncos]

Sam Ehlinger looks destined to be the Broncos third-string quarterback on their practice squad

Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images

Sam Ehlinger joins the Broncos as their third-string quarterback replacing Zach Wilson who signed with the Dolphins

Last season, the Broncos carried three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. Those three quarterbacks were rookie starter Bo Nix, veteran backup Jarrett Stidham, and former number two overall pick Zach Wilson. However, Stidham and Wilson would be free agents this offseason, and the team would likely have to choose between the two players. In the end, the Broncos re-signed Jarrett Stidham and allowed Zach Wilson to enter free agency. Wilson would ultimately sign with the Miami Dolphins as their backup quarterback behind Tua Tagovailoa.

With Wilson leaving, the Broncos now had a vacant third-stri ng quarterback spot available. They would show some interest in some late-round quarterback prospects early in the draft process, but would end up signing former Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger for that role.

The former Texas standout quarterback would be a 6th-round selection by the Colts in the 2021 NFL Draft. While he was primarily a backup quarterback for them, he received a total of three starts during his time with the team. The Colts would lose all three of those games, and Ehlinger totaled 573 yards passing, 3 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, while completing 63.4% of his passes and having a quarterback rating of 76.1. Not an amazing stat line, but also not terrible for a third-string quarterback.

Now, he enters his first season with the Broncos as the unquestioned third-string quarterback and hoping to show enough to stick around with the team throughout the season.

Player Profile ​

Sam Ehlinger | Quarterback | Broncos​

Height: 6-1

Weight: 221 pounds

Age: 26 years old

Experience: 5th NFL season

Broncos QB Sam Ehlinger’s 2025 Outlook​

Ehlinger looks destined for the practice squad and to be the Broncos' third-string quarterback. It is unlikely that he will challenge Stidham for the backup role and will be their emergency third-string quarterback on the practice squad.

He will run the third-team offense throughout training camp and play in the second half of the Broncos' upcoming preseason games. I don’t think he will make the 53-man roster and may not even be a lock for the third-string practice squad spot. Other quarterbacks will likely become available after final cuts, and Ehlinger will have to perform well enough to prove to the Broncos coaches he deserves to stick around.

Like most, if not all, third-string quarterbacks, you hope you never see them on the field outside of the preseason. So, hopefully, Ehlinger has a strong summer, sticks around on the practice squad, and we never see him play outside of the preseason.

Final Thoughts​

There isn’t too much else to say here. He’s likely destined to be the practice squad quarterback, which will open up a roster spot for someone else on the Broncos roster. I am not 100% sure if he is a lock for that role, but that will all depend on how he performs during camp and the preseason.

Again, hopefully, Ehlinger is someone we only see during the preseason and can provide the Broncos with some good depth in the quarterback room on and off the field.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/6/24461604/broncos-roster-review-quarterback-sam-ehlinger

 

[Denver Broncos]

Reigning DPOY Pat Surtain II and rookie Jahdae Barron headline a Broncos cornerback room that could be elite this upcoming season

Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

The Denver Broncos cornerback room has the potential to be elite this upcoming season.

The Denver Broncos' cornerback unit was among the best in the entire NFL last season. Pat Surtain II is your reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian made plays throughout the year, and rookie Kris Abrams-Draine showed some promise late in the year. When heading into the offseason, there were not many who expected the Broncos to make a major addition to their cornerback room.

Well, they did.

With their 20th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron. He was viewed as a potential top-10 selection and ended up being the first pure cornerback off the board in the draft. He was the heart and soul of the Texas Longhorns defense, and now will be a key member of the Broncos' secondary.

The addition of Barron deepens an already talented Broncos cornerback room that includes Surtain, Moss, McMillian, Abrams-Draine, and others. If all goes well, this unit has the chance to be the best cornerback unit in the entire NFL and give the already talented Broncos defense an elite secondary to work with.

With all that said, let’s take a look at the Broncos’ cornerbacks and their roles, expectations, and chances of making the team as we approach the start of training camp.

Starters​

Pat Surtain II - DPOY | CB1 | Elite​

PS2 is your reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner, the best cornerback in the league, and arguably, one of the best defensive and overall players in the league. The Broncos signed him to a long-term extension last season, and he will be locking down the league's top receivers in the Mile High City for the foreseeable future.

Pat Surtain II with a 100 yard pick 6 INTpic.twitter.com/Ei5Vq7el6Q

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) October 6, 2024​

As for this year, he will be looking to win back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards while being the face of the Denver Broncos defense. If the Broncos and their defense live up to the lofty expectations placed on them, he has a real shot at doing so.

Jahdae Barron - The exciting rookie​

As I mentioned, Barron was the Broncos’ first-round selection during April’s NFL Draft and gives this unit and potential stud to pair with PS2. Head Coach Sean Payton has mentioned that Barron has inside and outside versatility and simply is not just a slot corner. He was used all over the Texas secondary and was their version of a ‘Joker’, but on the defensive side of the ball. So, it will be interesting to see how Payton and the Broncos plan on using him moving forward.

Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post

By all accounts, Barron has quickly impressed the coaches and teammates during the offseason workouts and likely will be a standout performer during training camp. If that’s the case, he could leapfrog Riley Moss as the Broncos' CB2. Either way, Barron is going to be a key member of this secondary and hopefully gives the Broncos another stud cornerback in their secondary.

Riley Moss - X-Factor​

Moss earned the starting job last season and played fairly well before suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for four weeks. When he did return, he was welcomed back by the high-powered Bengals passing offense that abused him for over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. This left a sour taste in the mouth of Broncos fans and one that many still have currently.

I call him the X-Factor because he controls how good this secondary can be. PS2 is elite, and let's say that Barron lives up to the hype. That puts a lot of pressure on Moss to step up his game. Teams are going to test him early and often to see if the Bengals' performance was just rust or if he truly is a liability in the Broncos' secondary. However, if he does perform well, the Broncos could have a repeat of the “No Fly Zone” that helped lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl 50 victory.

Intriguing backups​

Ja’Quan McMillian - What do they do with him?​

McMillian was the Broncos' starting slot corner for the past two seasons and, overall, played fairly well. He was always a standout player during training camp and has made some big plays in coverage during his two seasons as a starter. Now, he did have some struggles, especially last season, but he has proven he is a starting-caliber slot corner in the NFL. However, the selection of Jahdae Barron likely cost him his starting job. While Barron has inside and outside versatility, he is likely going to play a good bit of slot corner. So, where does that leave McMillian?

Ja'Quan McMillan with a game-winning pick 6 #Broncospic.twitter.com/L63OKNe9gG

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) December 3, 2024​

Right now, he is likely the CB4 for the Broncos and probably not pushing Moss for snaps since he plays primarily slot corner. If the Broncos were to play a lot of Dime looks, he could still see snaps, outside of that, he is likely on the bench. Teams are always searching for corner depth, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Broncos would listen to trade offers for him, considering their depth. However, having cornerback depth could be more important to them than getting some value for him. A lot of that depends on the next player we are going to talk about.

Kris Abrams-Draine -The Dark Horse​

After Moss went down and the Broncos watched Levi Wallace get burned by the Browns, the team turned to rookie Kris Abrams-Draine. The rookie stepped in and earned significant playing time during a key stretch for the Broncos and performed well, in my opinion.

He didn’t stand out as a weakness, made some good plays in coverage, and even intercepted Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who only threw 3 interceptions(in the regular season). Before the team drafted Barron in the first round, I viewed KAD as someone who could push McMillian or Moss for playing time this season. The Barron addition obviously changed things, but I could still see him pushing McMillian and hell, even Moss, for some playing time.

Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

Abrams-Draine, having a good summer, could allow the Broncos to shop McMillian around and give them insurance if Moss’s struggles continue. He is my dark horse to watch in this group.

The Rest​

Damarri Mathis - The end of the line?​

The former 4th-round selection has fallen out of favor with the Broncos and is in jeopardy of losing his spot on the 53-man roster. After he showed some promise as a rookie, he has struggled ever since and has been a backup and played primarily special teams since. Now, with the cornerback room getting deeper, Mathis is on the hot seat.

His saving grace could be the Broncos dealing Ja’Quan McMillian, which would open up a roster spot. We don’t know how likely that is right now, so how realistic that scenario is remains to be seen.

Taylor Reese - Practice squad slot corner​

Reese was the Broncos' backup slot corner last season but spent the majority of the season on the practice squad. I believe his odds of making the 53-man roster are rather slim, but a strong summer could land him back on the practice squad, where he serves as some slot corner depth for the team.

Like Mathis, what happens with McMillian could factor into this as well.

Quinton Newsome - Practice squad​

Newsome was signed as an undrafted free agent last season and was eventually signed on to the Broncos' practice squad. He spent the entire year there, and the reality is that it is probably where he lands again this season.

If he has a strong summer AND the Broncos deal McMillian, he could leapfrog Mathis as the Broncos CB5, but that doesn’t seem likely right now.

Mario Goodrich - Dondrea Tillman 2.0?​

The Broncos signed former UFL player Dondrea Tillman last offseason, and he went on to be a key rotational pass rusher for their defense and totaled 5 sacks. Now, former UFL player Mario Goodrich, who signed with the Broncos this offseason, will look to follow in his footsteps.

Goodrich does have some NFL experience with the Eagles and Giants, but will really need to have a strong summer if he wants to stick around with the Broncos. Right now, the practice squad seems like the best case scenario for him.

Jaden Robinson and Joshua Pickett - The UDFA’s​

I lumped them together because they’re both in the same boat. They’re buried on the depth chart and really do not have many avenues at a realistic shot at making the 53-man roster. So, both players are competing against each other and other roster bubble players for a spot or two on the Broncos' practice squad.

I would love to eat my words here if one of them becomes the next Chris Harris Jr., but we will just have to wait and see.

Final Thoughts​

Barring any unfortunate injuries, the Broncos' cornerback room is probably all but set. PS2, Barron, Moss, and Abrams-Draine are likely all making the team with McMillian potentially on the trade block. If McMillian stays, I don’t see the team keeping more than 5, maybe 6 cornerbacks on the roster. So, all the players on the bubble or on the outside looking in currently are competing for maybe one spot on the 53-man roster and maybe two spots on the practice squad. You have to factor outside additions as well here, but the point remains.

This is a good problem to have, as the Broncos' cornerback room has the potential to be elite this year. PS2 repeating as DPOY, Barron being the DROY, and the Broncos secondary leading them to a deep postseason run would be pretty great.

How everything shakes out for the final few spots on the roster and practice squad will be interesting to watch in the coming weeks. Add in the question of them potentially trading away McMillian, and the cornerback room is one of the more exciting groups to watch as we head into training camp.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/6/24460574/broncos-2025-positional-review-cornerbacks

 

[Denver Broncos]

The Denver Broncos have a talented and versatile defensive line for the 2025 season

Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

The Denver Broncos defense was one of the best in the league last season. One of the reasons why was the improved play of their defensive line. This season, the group is poised to be even better than last year.

The Denver Broncos endured a lot of success on the defensive side of the ball in 2024. There was a night and day difference between 2023 and last season. Top-tier play in the trenches a large factor in their ability to buck a decade drought of missing the post season.

They were much better against the run, and their ability to get after the quarterback was a key reason why the franchise led the league in sacks. Continuity along the defensive line is a draw for the Broncos this season and it’s expected that they will keep performing at a high level.

They are slated to bring back their top four players with respect to snap share for their 2025 campaign and even added to the unit in the third round of this past draft. Let’s take a deeper look at the Broncos’ defensive line for the coming season.

Note: The team’s edge rushers will be featured in their own positional review as opposed to being lumped in here.

2025 Denver Broncos Defensive Line Review​

Zach Allen — All-Pro Starter

When the Broncos signed Zach Allen several years ago to replace Dre’Mont Jones, it wasn’t immediately clear that it was the right call. Fast forward two years later and all of Broncos Country knows it was a great decision. One player has continued his ascent to one of the better interior defensive linemen in the league, while the other has floated into obscurity.

In his sixth year in the NFL, Allen put together his best season of his career. He racked up 61 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 40 quarterback hits, and 8.5 sacks. His production earned him second-team All-Pro honors. Entering the final year of his three-year, $45.75 million dollar deal, Allen is on the verge of a significant pay raise that will likely make him one of the highest-paid defensive linemen in football.

Allen should be another impact player for the Broncos in 2025. Last season, he played nearly 84-percent of the total defensive snaps. That’s an incredibly high number and I expect that to drop down a tick. However, I still feel his production will be on par to last season.

Coming off a career year, Zach Allen has helped his market value on a #Broncos deal which would keep him in place well beyond 2025:https://t.co/8Zg5Z2EwKP

— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) July 6, 2025

John Franklin-Myers — Underrated Starter

On Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, General Manager George Paton crafted a trade to bring John Franklin-Myers to the Mile High City to improve their defensive trenches. All it cost was a late-round pick swap.

The addition of Franklin-Myers to the Broncos’ defensive front was a great move. In his first season with the Broncos, the former New York Jet had a quality year and posted career highs with respect to tackles and sacks. His ability to rush the passer and also defend the run helped transform the unit’s overall play.

Like Allen, Franklin-Myers is in the last year of his deal. I’m not sure the Broncos will wind up extending both of them, but each certainly deserve a pay raise. Nevertheless, Franklin-Myers is a quality starter whose play will continue to keep their trenches formidable for this season. He was a great addition to the lineup and the Broncos are lucky to have him.

D.J. Jones — Starting Nose Tackle

Three off-season's ago, the Broncos signed D.J. Jones to a three-year, $30 million dollar contract to address a significant need at nose tackle.

Over the past three seasons, Jones has appeared 48 games with 48 starts wearing the orange and blue and proved to be a steady contributor for the team. Earlier this spring, the Broncos extended Jones again to keep him in the Mile High City for a few more seasons. He is one of the better run defenders in the league and does a good job in that respect.

While he may not have eye-popping sack numbers, he is able to generate some pocket push on occasion and disrupt the timing and rhythm of opposing quarterbacks is an added bonus. He should continue to be a valuable player for the Broncos’ defensive line this year.

Broncos defensive lineman D.J. Jones is set to hit free agency next month, but teammate Zach Allen would love to see the team re-sign Jones.

"He's one of my favorite teammates ever, both off the field and on," Allen said last month. "What he does for us on first, second down is… pic.twitter.com/aethgN8hfD

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) February 18, 2025

Malcolm Roach —Reliable Veteran Backup and Rotational Player

The Broncos signed Malcom Roach last free agency period to a two-year deal to add a veteran presence to the defensive front alongside the free aforementioned starters.

While it didn’t get much attention in the grand scheme of things, Roach proved to be a key rotational piece for Vance Joseph’s defense. In fact, he played slightly more snaps overall than Jones last year. Roach is a quality run defender and a big reason why their run defense experienced a significant turnaround. He also put up the best numbers of his career in ‘24.

Like Allen and Franklin-Myers, he is also in the final year of his contract. If he continues to play well and impress, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him earn an extension.

Saiv’ion Jones — The Intriguing Rookie

With Allen, Franklin-Myers, and Roach all playing on the final year of their contracts, the Broncos were wise to add a prospect with future starting potential to their trenches. The Broncos moved up into the third round late on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft and selected LSU defensive lineman Sai’vion Jones.

Jones has the size and traits you want at the position and explosive upside that will likely see him earn a starting spot in 2026. For his rookie season, I believe he will be able to earn a respectable number of snaps as a rotational defender. He’s a versatile player that will play both inside and out in Joseph’s defensive front.

Everyone Else — Fighting for the Sixth Spot in the DL Rotation

I think the first five spots are pretty clear. After that? It’s going to be one heck of a competition for the sixth and final spot on the roster. Jordan Jackson, Matt Henningsen, Jordan Miller, Eyioma Uwazurike and Kristian Williams will be battling it out.

On the outside looking in, I’d guess Jackson or Uwazurike would be the early favorites. Jackson played a decent number of snaps last year, and I’m hoping that Uwazurike can live up to the potential he showed coming out in the draft several years ago. Last year, they carried six on the defensive line, and I think that will be the case this season too.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion, the top five players in the Broncos’ defensive line rotation are easy to piece together. It’s that sixth and final spot that seems to have the most ambiguity. Nevertheless, I really like that they have their top four from last year coming back. Moreover, I think Jones will offer another unique dynamic to their rotation that will help them play even better than last season.

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025/7/7/24460173/broncos-2025-positional-review-defensive-line

 

[Denver Broncos]

Denver Broncos Hidden Gems: 3 Secret Superstars on the 2025 roster

Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

The 2025 Denver Broncos may have as much talent as any team in the NFL. Here are three Secret Superstars who can help them reach their postseason dreams.

Do the 2025 Denver Broncos have the NFL’s best overall roster?

There is a credible case to be made. The 2024 Broncos ranked seventh overall in DVOA — 16th in offense and fourth on defense — and the ceiling isn’t there just yet. The offense will ostensibly improve in Bo Nix’s second season, and Nix showed more than enough in his rookie season for everyone to be confident that head coach Sean Payton found his man at the game’s most important position after the Russell Wilson misfire. Payton’s offense is incredibly complex and detailed, and Nix took to it like a proverbial (Oregon) duck to water.

Of course, if you were lucky enough to watch tape with Nix before he was selected 12th overall in the 2024 draft, as myself and Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup were, this wouldn’t come as a surprise. Not only was Nix misclassified as a chuck-and-duck thrower by some analysts when he actually had (and has) a great deep arm, but his mind for the game blew us away. Rarely have I spoken with a college quarterback with this much on the ball in an NFL-transferrable sense.

And when you get to that defense under Vance Joseph... hoo, boy. Patrick Surtain II is widely recognized as the NFL’s best cornerback, Riley Moss has become a credible bookend, and when the Broncos took Texas’s Jahdae Barron with the 20th overall pick in the 2025 draft, it’s my opinion that they got themselves the next Brian Branch. Like Branch, Barron can play just about everywhere on the field, and he can lock it down from wherever.

Texas CB Jahdae Barron has perhaps the most important attribute for the position -- what I call "match feet." Where the receiver goes, he goes, and his feet lead the way. 34.2 opponent passer rating in 2024. pic.twitter.com/Xn4W7fUJ9j

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) February 23, 2025​

Add that to a pass rush that was the NFL’s most disruptive in 2024, and the possibilities of the healthier versions of safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (two former San Francisco 49ers stars acquired in the 2025 offseason), and nobody will want to deal with these guys.

Sean Payton is well aware of the expectations in his third year as the Broncos’ head coach. It’s great to be a preseason darling, but the 2024 postseason saw the Buffalo Bills beat up on his Broncos to the tune of a 31-7 thrashing in the Wild Card round, so he’s all about pumping the brakes until he sees what he really has out there.

“The one thing we have to avoid is this idea that we are going to pick up where we left off,” Payton said in late February at the scouting combine. “I don’t like that because our league has shown that the season ends, and you take the proverbial game board, you take all the pieces and dump them, and you start again. Certainly you are more confident, the experience has helped a number of players, but the journey begins. We don’t shy away from it. Our expectations are high, I am encouraged with some of the things that we did this past season, and yet we are still hungry for more.”

More would be a better record than the 10-7 mark the Broncos put up last season, the third-place finish in the AFC West, and getting past Phase 1 of the playoffs, where you’re more than just a young team looking to put it all together.

These Broncos would seem to have what it takes to get all of that done. In the continuation of our “Hidden Gems” series, we look at three Secret Superstars on the roster — one underrated veteran, one underrated free-agent signing, and one underrated draft pick — who look to be part of the brand new day in Denver.

Underrated Veteran: Safety Brandon Jones​

Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

When you lose a safety with two Pro Bowl nods and four second-team All-Pro designations, that’s generally not a great thing for your defense. The Broncos experienced this when Justin Simmons signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2024 offseason. Simmons was still bringing it in 2023, but the Broncos saved $14.5 million in cap space by releasing him on March 7, 2024, and that was that.

To replace Simmons as the epicenter of their safety group, Denver went after Brandon Jones, who had put up some really good tape with the Miami Dolphins (the team that selected him with the 70th overall pick in the third round of the 2020 draft), and the best was yet to come. Denver stole Jones on a three-year, $20 million contract with $11 million guaranteed, which made him the NFL’s 27th highest-paid safety in terms of Average Annual Value.

Jones was not the NFL’s 27th best safety in 2024; he was quite a bit better than that. In his first season with the Broncos, he allowed 33 catches on 51 targets for 299 yards, 184 yards after the catch, one touchdown, three interceptions, seven pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 62.5, which was the lowest opponent passer rating allowed among all Denver starting defensive backs. Jones was especially important and effective when he played in the deep third, which he did on 67% of his snaps. Every great defense needs that deep safety who can roll in two-deep looks or as the last resort in single-high coverage, and that’s what Jones proved to be.

Jones also led the defense with 94 solo tackles, he had 28 stops, and he even picked up five quarterback pressures as a blitzer.

The @Broncos had a big need to fill in 2024 after releasing Justin Simmons for cap reasons. Brandon Jones came in, had his best season to date, and all was well. Alec Pierce of the @Colts is probably still muttering to himself after his day vs. Jones. pic.twitter.com/DTFcPzJavU

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 7, 2025​

“He’s healthy,” Payton said of Jones in January. “He’s athletic. He works his tail off. He can overtrain at times. He’s a good teammate. He’s been a good addition. Quietly, there have been a number of these guys — I don’t want to say under the radar — that’s not the right term, but important additions outside the draft class that may not have been as higher-profile signings but have found real good roles.”

A Secret Superstar, indeed. Maybe 2025 is the year when everybody outside of the Mile High City realizes how good this guy is.

Underrated Free-Agent Signing: TE Evan Engram​

Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Throughout his time in the NFL as a play-caller and head coach, Sean Payton has never been a huge fan of multiple tight end sets. Not that he hasn’t benefited from great tight ends — Payton had Jeremy Shockey in 2002, his final season as the New York Giants’ offensive coordinator, and Shockey was productive for Payton’s New Orleans Saints from 2008-2010. Jimmy Graham was obviously a force multiplier for the Saints at the peak of his career, and Benjamin Watson got a lot done in New Orleans from 2013-2015 and again in 2018, but generally speaking, Payton had preferred to have three receivers or two running backs on the field — especially the two-back philosophy, which Payton tends to scheme up as well as anybody.

Which makes the Broncos’ signing of former Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants tight end Evan Engram to a two-year, $23 million deal with $16.5 million guaranteed pretty interesting. Last season, the Broncos lined up in 12 personnel (one back, two tight ends, two receivers) on 13% of their snaps, the sixth-lowest rate in the NFL. Adam Trautman was the primary target at the position with 22 catches on 35 targets for 204 yards and three touchdowns, and Lucas Krull, Nate Adkins, Greg Dulcich, and Chris Manhertz rounded out the group.

Not exactly Murderer’s Row, but here’s the thing: When Bo Nix had two tight ends on the field in his rookie season, he completed 51 of 77 passes for 614 yards, 376 air yards, eight touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 119.7, which was the league’s fifth-highest among qualifying quarterbacks. Payton liked to align his tight ends (usually Trautman and Adkins) tight to the formation to one side of the field, or put one tight end on either side of the formation, and the mismatches would begin in Denver’s favor. Payton calls his mismatch tight ends “Jokers,” and he can draw up those plans for his Jokers all day long.

The Broncos rarely lined up in 12 personnel last season. But when they did. Bo Nix was extremely successful. Now, it's Evan Engram time. pic.twitter.com/ecLlh4kG7Z

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 7, 2025​

Engram, who caught 47 passes on 62 targets for 365 yards and a touchdown in an injury-shortened season in 2024, could be for the Broncos what he was for the Jaguars in 2023, when he bagged 114 catches on 140 targets for 963 yards and four touchdowns. Even the great numbers from two seasons ago tell you that Engram isn’t a highlight player per se, but that’s not the point, and the Broncos already have vertical receivers on the roster. What Engram brings to Payton’s offense is a veteran’s understanding of how to sink into zone openings, and make all the contested catches in tight areas. Once in a while, he’ll get upfield for a big play, but his real value will be as a security blanket for Nix.

I'm guessing that Sean Payton can't WAIT to draw stuff up for Evan Engram. Underrated contested-catch whiz with some explosive ability. He'll keep Bo Nix happy in the short-to-intermediate passing game. pic.twitter.com/cQwOBEKdGa

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) March 13, 2025​

“He’s doing well,” Payton said of Engram in mid-June. “He’s smart. He really works at it. I would say the one thing that’s hard to grade on film is how good someone’s football instincts are. I think he’s showing us each day that he has a real good savvy for the game.”

Engram is very excited to work with Nix, who has as much developmental talent as anyone who has thrown him a football.

“From afar, I paid attention to the Broncos,” he said on June 5. “Me and [Offensive Pass Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach] Davis Webb had a really good relationship. We got drafted together in New York. So even just watching and supporting him, I was always really observant of Bo Nix. It was kind of obviously as a rookie, kind of a slow start last year. He was learning the game, but once he turned it on, you can see it all over the tape. Flying around for the [free agent] visits, got to download some games on the laptop and watch some film.

“The potential is through the roof, and even better is just the way he is as a man, as a worker, as a leader. It’s been really great to get to know him on and off the field. I just love the way he approaches each and every day. I love the way he builds relationships with his teammates. I had lunch with him on my visit here. So he made it a point to be here and meet me. Even that lunch, I was able to just kind of listen to his process and things that he’s working on. Just really impressive young guy. Like I said, the potential is through the roof, and I like to see myself as someone that can come in and help his development and take this team to another level.”

Sounds like a happy marriage already.

Underrated Draft Pick: DL Sai’Vion Jones​

Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph isn’t exactly hurting for pass-rushers. Last season, Denver led the NFL in sacks with 63 AND total pressures with 195. With all the justified talk about the greatness of Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos’ pass rush is a sneaky nuclear weapon, and the guys responsible deserve more national attention. Edge defenders Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper each had more than 10 sacks and more than 60 total pressures last season, and Zach Allen is absolutely the best every-gap pass-rusher nobody ever talks about — Allen’s 14 sacks and 81 total pressures in 2024 were both career highs.

Now, there’s even more spice to the rice with the addition of LSU’s Sai’Vion Jones, selected with the 101st pick in the third round. Like the 6’4, 285-pound Allen, the 6’ 5⅜, 280-pound Jones can get to the quarterback from multiple spots, and he did so at an impressive rate in 2024 — five sacks and 43 total pressures in 349 pass-rushing reps. Jones also had 25 solo tackles, 27 stops, three tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles, so it’s not as if he’s a one-trick pony.

Moreover, with his 82⅜” wingspan (81st percentile for defensive linemen at the scouting combine since 1999), Jones can bull through opposing blockers, and with his agility, he can jump multiple gaps to edge his way into the backfield. And when he gets to the ballcarrier, chaos ensues more often than not.

LSU's Sai’Vion Jones (No. 35), who the @Broncos got in the third round, is a one-man, 12-car pileup at his best. As if Vance Joseph needed even MORE pass-rushers... pic.twitter.com/CFF8vzDIQI

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 7, 2025​

And though he played on the edge 88% of the time last season, he also created pressure as an interior guy, and Jones intimated that his positional versatility was a primary reason the Broncos wanted him.

“Absolutely,” Jones said on his post-draft conference call. “I feel like I have that ability to be able to play all over the place. I felt like that was one of the main things that the Broncos see in me. When you pick me, you’re drafting a couple of players. I’m not just an edge player. I can play a 4-[tech], a 3-[tech]… I can play across the line. I felt like that’s the reason why they felt like I was a person they should draft.”

General manager George Paton did not disagree.

“He kind of fits our mold of defensive line,” Paton said after the pick was made. “The size — 6’6, 280. We feel like he can continue to grow in that role. He’ll play end for us, but he has flexibility down the line of scrimmage. This guy is long. He’s strong [and] plays with really good leverage. Then, he’s improving as a rusher. You could see that throughout the season, then you got to the Senior Bowl. We thought he had a really good week and played really well in the game. So he’s just going to keep getting better. [Defensive line coach] Jamar Cain has coached him [Cain was LSU’s defensive line coach in 2022], so again, we had insight on him.

“I think what sticks out with him is just how hard he plays. The motor — he goes 110 miles per hour every play, so he fits in with our group. He’ll have time to develop as well as he has good guys in front of him.”

Jones played primarily inside during Senior Bowl week, and he showed that the traits transfer... in any language.

ようやくSenior Bowlの練習を見終わって、試合を見ているんだけど、Sai'vion Jonesがめちゃめちゃ躍動している

pic.twitter.com/nWqG74idt2

— Tamago (@mliteplz) February 12, 2025​

So yes, the Denver Broncos have even more stuff to throw at opposing quarterbacks than they did in 2024. A scary thought, and yet another reason the NFL had better watch out for this team overall.

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions).

Source: https://www.milehighreport.com/2025...randon-jones-evan-engram-saivion-jones-bo-nix