The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
With 2025 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2025 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Denver Broncos, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the Denver Broncos rookies?
- Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
- RJ Harvey (RB, UCF)
- Pat Bryant (WR, Illinois)
- Sai'vion Jones (EDGE, LSU)
- Que Robinson (EDGE, Alabama)
- Jeremy Crawshaw (P, Florida)
- Caleb Lohner (TE, Utah)
Denver Broncos Draft Class Grade:
The Denver Broncos received a C draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Broncos Rookies Will Make An Impact?
The Broncos made a surprising decision to select Jahdae Barron (first round) to bolster an already strong defense, rather than support Bo Nix as he prepares for his second year in the league.
Barron will compete for a starting job immediately, potentially with Ja’Quan McMillian at nickel corner or with Riley Moss for a spot on the outside.
Although Barron lacks the ideal length for the outside, he makes up for it with his physical style of play 一 though that also bodes well for him playing in the slot, where he can contribute against the run.
It’s also worth noting Barron played a similar role in Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense at Texas as current Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie did for Kwiatkowski at Washington, with nearly identical physical measurements.
Based on route adjusted data, Barron generated a ball-hawk rate 63% above expected last year while primarily playing on the outside 一 a huge leap from his 2% below expected rate in 2023. The improvement is encouraging, but ball-hawk rates can fluctuate somewhat randomly, so it’s tough to trust just one year of high-level production.
The Broncos addressed the offense with the selection of RJ Harvey (second round), though it was a risky selection with so many other quality ball carriers on the board.
Harvey thrived in Gus Malzahn’s offense at UCF, but it’s one of the most friendly schemes for ball carriers, as they rarely see stacked boxes.
In fact, Harvey only saw seven or more defenders in the box 40% of the time last year 一 Broncos running backs doubled that rate at 80% in 2024.
This is especially concerning because Harvey is not a physical runner and struggles to fight through contact. After adjusting for defenders in the box and the inside/outside direction of the run, Harvey gained 2% fewer yards after contact than expected last year and was stuffed for zero or negative yards at a rate 20% higher than expected.
Given the draft capital spent on him, Harvey should be considered the favorite to win the starting job, but it would not be a surprise if he lost that battle to Audric Estime and/or Jaleel McLaughlin.
Denver finally added to its receiver room with the Pat Bryant (third round), though his immediate impact may be minimal.
Bryant’s skillset overlaps with Courtland Sutton, who is in the final year of his contract. So Denver might envision Bryant stepping into Sutton’s role in 2026.
Like Sutton, Bryant lacks the elite athletic traits to create separation but wins contested catch battles at a high rate. Based on route adjusted data, Bryant’s catch rate was 11% above expected over the last two years.
Bryant primarily played on the outside at Illinois, but Denver likely finds him some reps in the slot in order to get him on the field.
Sai’vion Jones (third round) is a good fit for Vance Joseph’s defensive line. He’ll add some depth in the short term, but also gives Denver some flexibility moving forward as both Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers enter the final year of their contracts.
Jones is not a serious pass-rush threat, but his traits are similar to Allen and Franklin-Myers, so if his rookie year goes well, he could step into a starting role and save the team some money in 2026.
Que Robinson (fourth round) spent five years as a reserve at Alabama, but did flash some potential in an injury-shortened 2024 season.
Robinson generated a 20% pressure rate in 95 pass-rush snaps off the edge during his final year with the Tide. His extensive special teams experience (over 600 snaps during the last three years) should help him earn a roster spot.
Jeremy Crawshaw (sixth round) will be expected to win the starting job as the Broncos’ punter.
Last season at Florida, Crawshaw was among the best punters in the nation, demonstrating both accuracy and a big leg.
Crawshaw pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line on 83% of his punts from his own 40-yard line or closer (FBS average: 70%). He also averaged 49.1 yards per punt when punting from inside his own 35-yard line (FBS average: 44.4 yards).
Caleb Lohner (seventh round) is a former basketball player who almost exclusively played special teams during his one season on the Utah football team in 2024.
We know Sean Payton loves his developmental tight ends (Jimmy Graham, Taysom Hill), so the 6-foot-7 Lohner will be his latest pet project.
Dating back to his time in New Orleans, Payton has never been shy about drafting to his board and ignoring perceived value. This draft class was yet another demonstration of that philosophy, as many of these selections were perceived as reaches.
The most questionable decision, however, was the lack of immediate help for Nix. Almost every other team around the league with a young quarterback made an effort to surround them with talent, so Denver’s selection of a nickel corner in the first round sticks out against that trend.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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