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RJ Harvey’s NFL draft profile (0:47)
Check out some of the top highlights from UCF’s RJ Harvey. (0:47)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The 2025 NFL draft kicked off on Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Denver Broncos are scheduled to make seven of the draft’s 257 picks, which started with the No. 20 selection of the first round.
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 20 overall: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
My take: This is an exceptional value pick. He is a player many in the league believed was a top 10 player, and he fits the Broncos’ defensive scheme and can play multiple spots in the formation. He ran a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, is a physical tackler and plays with reliability and anticipation in coverage. In a secondary with the league’s Defensive Player of the Year — Pat Surtain II — Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian at cornerback, the Broncos have answers at a time when defending the pass is at a premium.
Will he start as a rookie: The short answer: Yes, immediately. Barron has enough versatility to line up at corner, safety, in the slot, outside and as a dime linebacker — and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will find ways to get him on the field in a variety of situations. On Thursday night, Barron said he could play safety or corner if the Broncos wanted him to.
When will he get regular playing time: Likely as soon as they hand him a helmet. Barron doesn’t waste steps, has elite speed and doesn’t miss tackles — he had eight interceptions and three fumble recoveries over the past three years. Watch his college tape and you’ll see a player lining up all over the formation and making plays everywhere.
Round 2, No. 60: R.J. Harvey, RB, Central Florida
My take: The Broncos, after they moved down twice in the second round, kept their pre-draft promise to come away with a running back. Denver first received picks Nos. 57, 74, 111 and 230 from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for picks 51, 85, 122 and 208. They once again traded down to pick No. 60 and acquired No. 130 from the Detroit Lions for Denver’s Nos. 57 and 230.
Harvey averaged an astounding 6.5 yards per carry over his career and had back-to-back 1,400-yard rushing seasons to close out his college career at Central Florida. His balance and tackle-breaking ability will give him plenty of work early in his career. His speed gives him the decisiveness that Broncos coach Sean Payton wants in a runner. He did not show the work in pass protection or as a receiver, which some of the other backs on the board did, but he was one of the most productive runners in college football over the last two seasons.
Will he start as a rookie: Whether he’s the “starter” on the first snap of games remains to be seen, but he figures to be a first option in the run game if he flashes the same kind of speed he did in college. The Broncos lost Javonte Williams in free agency and will enter their on-field work in the offseason trying to set the rotation at the position. Harvey will certainly be an early-down option immediately and could carve out more if he is more consistent with his production at receiver.
Round 3, No. 74: Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
My take: Payton said before the draft he liked his receivers’ potential with the hope of more playing time for Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin bringing more production. But Payton wants big-framed receivers who can work in traffic, and while Bryant’s 4.61 clocking in the 40-yard dash at the combine would cause some evaluators to pause, his route-running skills are top tier. He also has high-end ball skills to win at the catch point. Bryant could fill the physicality role in the offense that Lil’Jordan Humphrey had at times.
Is this pick depth or does it fill a role: The Broncos believe Mims and Franklin should give the Broncos the outside speed threat with wide receiver Courtland Sutton as the team’s No. 1. Devaughn Vele showed a good mix of physicality and speed as a rookie last season. Bryant will have to earn snaps by creating space with quality releases at the line of scrimmage and his catch-and-run abilities between the numbers. It would seem unlikely he cracks the top three rotation.
Round 3, No. 101: Sai’vion Jones, DE, LSU
My take: At 6-foot-5, 280 pounds, Jones projects as a defensive end in the Broncos’ 4-3 scheme, with the potential to drop inside as a rusher in the nickel. He will fit into a rotation as a power player even though the Broncos re-signed unrestricted free agent D.J. Jones early in the offseason. It is another move for the Broncos to bolster a defense in what figures to be a rugged division race in the AFC West. Denver spent a bulk of its free agency money on defense, including the additions of safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw to go with the selection of Barron on Thursday night.
When will be expected to get regular playing time: At the moment, he is more proficient and consistent as a pass rusher, with an explosive first step and his ability to stress blockers at the snap. He has relentless effort that’ll work in third down or long-yardage downs. He could expand his portfolio if he shows his ability to consistently get off blocks and have reliable gap control in the run game. There is room in the rotation for him for spot duty.
What’s next: The Broncos wanted Jones enough to trade back into the bottom of the third round to take him, giving the Philadelphia Eagles their Nos. 111, 130 and 161 picks for Nos. 101 and 134. Denver finished its day of trades on Day 2 with tight end still on the needs list. They can find some role players there in Day 3 and could take a look at a developmental offensive lineman as well.
Remaining picks
Round 4: No. 134
Round 6: No. 197
