The Denver Broncos are a team on the rise. Following a 10-7 season which was highlighted by the play of rookie quarterback Bo Nix, Sean Payton and the predominantly orange crew will be looking to make more noise in the NFC West in 2025 as well as the entire NFC.
In securing a Wild Card berth, the Broncos took a big step under Payton, but a 31-7 Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills exposed that the team needed to improve in some key areas. They added through free agency to address some of those areas and approached the 2025 NFL Draft looking to fill holes and add depth in other areas.
Denver Broncos address top needs:
After losing Javonte Williams in free agency, one of those top needs were at running back. In a draft deep in running back talent, the Broncos got a good one in R.J. Harvey. They also further stabilized their secondary and added talent in the front seven. Which of these rookies will make impacts immediately?
Here are 3 rookies to watch for the Denver Broncos:
Round 1, Pick No. 20 – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas: The Broncos secondary got even more talented with the selection of Jahdae Barron with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Named as a consensus All-American in his last season at Texas, Barron brings intangibles and versatility to the Broncos’ secondary, including an ability to play at safety. That positional versatility will make the Broncos’ defense a force in the AFC West, a defense built to make life difficult for a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes.
Slotted as the second-best cornerback entering the draft, Barron will be a big play waiting to happen no matter where he lines up in the Broncos’ secondary. You better believe defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is going to have a field day designing defensive coverages with Barron on the field along with Patrick Surtain II.
Round 2, Pick No. 60 – R.J. Harvey, RB, Central Floria: The Broncos second-round selection R.J. Harvey will be in position to make a big impact in 2025 even with the recent signing of J.K. Dobbins. Taken with the No. 60 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Broncos took care of a major need with the selection of the Central Florida star who averaged 6.5 yards per carry over his entire college career.
Can he bring that impact to a Broncos’ offense looking to get stronger around second-year quarterback Bo Nix? With the speed he possesses as a running back, don’t be surprised if Harvey is in the running for offensive Rookie of the Year, especially if he becomes a consistent threat to catch the ball out of the backfield, which is a dynamic in running backs that Payton loves to feature in his offense.
Round 4, Pick No. 134– Que Robinson, OLB, Alabama: The Broncos have a couple other candidates selected in the middle rounds who will be in position to make an immediate impact. But there is something about Que Robinson that sets some intrigue, especially with the Broncos need for more pass rush.
As an athletic outside linebacker with an ability to get to the passer, Robinson will make his impact first on special teams with the Broncos before he plays his way as a normal rotational player in the Broncos defense. With his length and versatility, Robinson is a linebacker who get off the edge with his explosive first step or move back into coverage where his former safety skills will come into play. In all, he is a player who is great in space and should find ways to contribute Year 1. He’ll find ways to make an impact immediately, even as a mid-round pick.