As a lifelong Florida Gators fan, I’ve been rocking orange and blue for the Denver Broncos since I moved to Colorado in 2010 — hence my “303Bandwagon” handle. 🏈 The 2025 NFL Draft saw head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton make seven selections, focusing on cornerback, running back, wide receiver, edge rusher, outside linebacker, punter, and tight end, with four trades shaping their haul.
While I love the focus on defense, especially the addition of Jahdae Barron to keep our top-five defense from 2024 elite while the offense finds its rhythm, I’ve got some thoughts about the draft choices. The Evan Engram signing in free agency gives QB Bo Nix a solid weapon, so I’m fine with prioritizing defense. However, I’m skeptical about the RJ Harvey pick at No. 60 after the Javonte Williams saga. With Ashton Jeanty (Raiders, No. 6) and Omarion Hampton (Chargers, No. 23) off the board, I’d have preferred Cam Skattebo’s dynamic spark. 🤔
Here’s a breakdown of each pick in draft order, detailing the players, how they fit Payton’s system, their potential impact, key stats, and grades using data from the Denver Broncos’ website and draft trackers.
Table of Contents
- 0.1 Round 1, Pick 20 Broncos Select: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
- 0.2 Round 2, Pick 60 Broncos Select: RB RJ Harvey, UCF
- 0.3 Round 3, Pick 101 Broncos Select: DE Sai’vion Jones, LSU
- 0.4 Round 4, Pick 134 Broncos Select: OLB Que Robinson, Alabama 🔥
- 0.5 Round 6, Pick 216 Broncos Select: P Jeremy Crawshaw, Florida
- 0.6 Round 7, Pick 241: TE Caleb Lohner, Utah 🏀➡️🏈
- 1 Overall Draft Class Assessment 🔍
Round 1, Pick 20 Broncos Select: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
Profile: Jahdae Barron, the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner, is a versatile slot corner with elite instincts. At 5’11” and 195 pounds, he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash, posting five interceptions and 11 passes defensed in 2024. Over three college seasons, he racked up 20 pass breakups and eight picks. His ability to play nickel, outside corner, or safety is a major asset, though he can struggle with deep recovery speed.
Fit & Impact: Barron joins Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss to form a potentially lethal secondary, perfectly suited for Vance Joseph’s aggressive scheme. He’s expected to start at nickel from Day 1, bringing playmaking and flexibility. His high football IQ (he holds a master’s degree) and leadership align with Denver’s culture. As a Gators fan who loves a stout defense, I’m thrilled with this pick to keep our top-five unit dominant. 🔥
Key Stat: Scored on both a fumble return and an interception return as a junior.
Grade: A- (Top-15 talent at No. 20, an immediate starter with All-Pro potential). 🌟
Round 2, Pick 60 Broncos Select: RB RJ Harvey, UCF
Profile: RJ Harvey, a 5’9”, 210-pound running back, is a compact, explosive runner who averaged 6.5 yards per carry at UCF. He piled up 2,993 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns over his final two seasons, adding 39 receptions for 505 yards and four scores. His balance and decisiveness are top-notch, but he’s raw in pass protection, and 458 carries over two years raise durability concerns.
Fit & Impact: With Javonte Williams gone, Harvey is a candidate for RB1, fitting Payton’s vision for a dynamic back. He’ll compete with Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson, offering early-down production and receiving skills. I’m skeptical about this pick after the Williams situation—those heavy college carries worry me. With Jeanty (Raiders, No. 6) and Hampton (Chargers, No. 23) gone, I’d have preferred Cam Skattebo, who was available at No. 60 and brings a versatile, explosive edge.
Key Stat: Back-to-back 1,400-yard rushing seasons at UCF.
Grade: B (Productive with scheme fit, but pass-blocking and durability concerns persist).
Round 3, Pick 74 Broncos Select: WR Pat Bryant, Illinois
Profile: Pat Bryant, a 6’3”, 205-pound possession receiver, brings size and contested-catch ability. In 2024, he ranked second in the Big Ten with 18.3 yards per catch, proving his big-play knack. His route-running is improving, and he’s a willing blocker, but a 4.61 40-yard dash limits his explosiveness. He projects as a backup WR2/WR3.
Fit & Impact: Bryant adds depth behind Courtland Sutton, filling Lil’Jordan Humphrey’s role in Payton’s run-heavy offense. His size makes him a red-zone threat, and his blocking suits 12-personnel sets. With Evan Engram’s signing boosting our passing game, Bryant gives Bo Nix a reliable target. Some analysts saw him as a fifth-rounder, making this a slight reach, but he’s a solid WR3/WR4 fit.
Key Stat: 77.8% of his 2024 catches resulted in first downs or touchdowns.
Grade: B- (Strong scheme fit, but limited speed caps his ceiling).
Round 3, Pick 101 Broncos Select: DE Sai’vion Jones, LSU
Profile: Sai’vion Jones, a 6’6”, 283-pound edge rusher, is a physical force with a relentless motor. He’s stout against the run and generated consistent quarterback pressures in 2024, using his length to disrupt plays. His pass-rush skills need polish, particularly hand usage and pad level, but his ceiling is high as a developmental prospect.
Fit & Impact: Acquired via trade-up, Jones addresses future needs on a defensive line with Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers nearing contract years. He’ll rotate as a 4-3 end, potentially sliding inside in nickel packages, complementing Nik Bonitto. This pick fits Denver’s aggressive front, but the trade-up cost (fourth- and sixth-round picks) feels like a safe choice over a riskier offensive move.
Key Stat: Showcased disruptive length as a downhill force in 2024.
Grade: B (High upside, with reasonable trade-up cost for his potential).
Round 4, Pick 134 Broncos Select: OLB Que Robinson, Alabama 🔥
Profile: Que Robinson, a 6’4”, 240-pound edge rusher, was a special teams standout at Alabama, with Nick Saban calling him one of the program’s best ever in that role. In just 163 career pass-rush snaps, he produced 25 pressures and five sacks, showing elite efficiency. Raw as a defender, his athleticism and motor signal significant pass-rush upside.
Fit & Impact: Robinson is a Day 1 four-core special teams contributor under coordinator Darren Rizzi, with the potential to grow into a rotational pass rusher behind Bonitto. His limited defensive snaps mean he’s a project, but his efficiency makes him a steal. I love these high-upside Day 3 picks that can contribute right away while developing.
Key Stat: Generated 25 pressures in minimal defensive snaps.
Grade: A- (Elite value for special teams impact and long-term potential).
Round 6, Pick 216 Broncos Select: P Jeremy Crawshaw, Florida
Profile: Jeremy Crawshaw, an Australian-born punter and proud Gator, brings a cannon for a leg. In 2024, he averaged 45.8 yards per punt, pinning 25 of 59 punts inside the 20-yard line. His accuracy and standout performance at the 2025 Senior Bowl marked him as the draft’s top punter. Gotta love seeing my Gators make it to the NFL! 😎
Fit & Impact: With Riley Dixon gone, Crawshaw is the favorite to claim the starting punter job, competing with Matt Haack. His field-position control is ideal for Payton’s defensive-minded approach, especially for a top-five defense that thrives on short fields. Drafting a punter is rare, but Crawshaw’s elite traits make it a no-brainer.
Key Stat: Dominated punting at the 2025 Senior Bowl.
Grade: B+ (Fills a clear need with a top-tier specialist).
Round 7, Pick 241: TE Caleb Lohner, Utah 🏀➡️🏈
Profile: Caleb Lohner, a 6’7”, 250-pound former basketball player (BYU, Baylor), is a raw but intriguing prospect. After starting football in 2024, he caught four passes—all touchdowns—and a two-point conversion. His size and athleticism draw comparisons to Jimmy Graham, but he’s a major project needing significant coaching.
Fit & Impact: As a developmental tight end behind Evan Engram, Lohner’s red-zone potential makes him a fun “joker” in Payton’s offense. He’s likely a practice squad candidate as a rookie, with long-term upside. With Engram already boosting our offense, this low-risk flier is a cool bet on rare physical tools.
Key Stat: 100% of his 2024 catches were touchdowns.
Grade: C+ (High-risk, high-reward project with unique traits).
Overall Draft Class Assessment 🔍
Broncos’ Strengths:
Jahdae Barron is a potential star, locking down the secondary for a defense that’s already among the NFL’s best. RJ Harvey fills a critical need at running back, and Day 3 picks like Que Robinson, Jeremy Crawshaw (Go Gators!), and Caleb Lohner bring immediate special teams value or high-upside potential. Evan Engram’s signing in free agency gives the offense a major lift, so I’m fine with the defensive lean here. 💪
Broncos‘ Weaknesses:
Pat Bryant and RJ Harvey were slight reaches compared to some analysts’ grades, which could limit their impact. Outside of the first pick, the class feels like Denver playing it safe with reliable picks over bold swings. The trade-up for Sai’vion Jones cost valuable mid-round picks, adding pressure for him to develop.
Class Grade: B
This draft class is solid, with one potential star in Barron and good depth across the board. It’s not the flashiest haul, but it keeps Denver’s defense elite while adding pieces to grow around Nix. The Engram signing eases the offensive pressure, but I’d have loved a more dynamic running back to spark Mile High. 🌟
What’s your take on the Broncos’ 2025 draft? Come talk about it on Fantasy Reports Sunday and Tuesday nights at 7 PM or The Bus Stop Thursday nights at 6 PM, both on Shady Sports Network! Follow Shady Sports Network for more NFL draft breakdowns! 📺🎙️
By Cedric Green, “The Bus Driver” (@303Bandwagon)
April 27, 2025
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