Everyone in Denver has an opinion on Sean Payton. Whether you think he’s a genius or just a guy with a very loud visor, you have to admit one thing: the man isn't afraid to gamble. When we look back at the broncos 2025 draft picks, we aren't just looking at a list of names. We're looking at the literal blueprint George Paton and Payton used to try and keep the momentum from Bo Nix’s rookie breakout alive.
The 2024 season was a wild ride. Honestly, nobody expected the Broncos to hit 14 wins or grab the top seed in the AFC. But that success came with a cost—specifically, a lower draft position. By the time the 2025 NFL Draft rolled around in Green Bay, Denver wasn't sitting in the top ten anymore. They were picking at No. 20, a spot where you usually have to choose between a "safe" project and a high-upside gamble.
👉 See also: Selección de fútbol de Escocia: Por qué ser de la Tartan Army es una montaña rusa emocional
They chose the secondary.
The Headliner: Why Jahdae Barron at 20?
The biggest surprise for some fans wasn't that the Broncos took a cornerback; it was which cornerback they took. Jahdae Barron out of Texas wasn't always the consensus "CB1" on every mock draft board you saw on Twitter. But he fits the Sean Payton mold perfectly. He's versatile. He's got that "dawg" in him.
The Broncos' defense, led by Vance Joseph, thrives on players who can move around the chess board. Barron isn't just a boundary guy. At Texas, he played the "star" position, meaning he can cover the slot, hit like a linebacker, and sniff out screen passes before they even develop.
Did he set the world on fire as a rookie? Kinda. He played about 30% of the defensive snaps in 2025. He grabbed an interception and broke up five passes. It wasn't a Sauce Gardner-level debut, but he proved he belongs. With Riley Moss coming back and Ja'Quan McMillian being a restricted free agent, Barron is the insurance policy that actually might turn into a premium asset by 2026.
👉 See also: Magic vs Golden State Warriors: What Most People Get Wrong
The Trade Chaos of Round 2 and 3
If you tried to follow the broncos 2025 draft picks in real-time on Friday night of the draft, you probably needed a spreadsheet and a shot of espresso. George Paton was wheeling and dealing like a guy who had parked in a tow-away zone.
First, they did a massive pick swap with the Carolina Panthers.
Then, they hopped over to a deal with the Detroit Lions.
By the time the dust settled, Denver had landed RJ Harvey, the explosive running back out of UCF, at pick No. 60.
This was a "need" pick, pure and simple. After Javonte Williams headed to Dallas in free agency, the backfield was looking a little thin. Audric Estime was a fan favorite, but let's be real: he didn't have the "home run" speed Payton craves. Harvey brought that in spades. He finished his 2025 rookie campaign with 12 total touchdowns—leading all NFL rookies. He’s small, sure (5-foot-8), but his vision is starting to catch up to his physical gifts.
The Mid-Round Haul
- Pat Bryant (WR, Illinois): Taken at No. 74. He's that big-bodied target (6-2) that reminds people a bit of a younger Courtland Sutton. He caught 31 balls in 2025 and seems to be developing a nice rhythm with Bo Nix on those intermediate crossers.
- Sai’vion Jones (DE, LSU): This was the No. 101 pick. To be honest, we didn't see much of him this past year. He was a healthy scratch for most of the season, which usually indicates the coaching staff thinks he needs more "pro strength." He’s a project.
- Que Robinson (OLB, Alabama): Pick No. 134. He’s got the Alabama pedigree, but he’s fighting for air in a very deep edge rusher room. He did manage five pressures in very limited action.
The Specialist and the Long Shot
You don’t usually get excited about a punter, but Jeremy Crawshaw (pick No. 216) was actually a solid win for the 2025 class. The Broncos moved on from the veteran route and let the kid from Florida take over. He averaged 47.6 yards per punt. In a stadium like Empower Field at Mile High, that ball just hangs in the air forever.
Then there’s Caleb Lohner.
Lohner is the "feel good" story that every draft has. He was a basketball player at BYU and Baylor before deciding he wanted to try football at Utah. Denver took him in the 7th round (No. 241). He spent the 2025 season on the practice squad, which was expected. You can't just walk off a basketball court and block NFL defensive ends on day one. But he’s 6-foot-7. You can’t teach that kind of height.
What This Means for the 2026 Roster
Looking back, the broncos 2025 draft picks were about filling the gaps left by a massive 2024 success. The team wasn't desperate anymore; they were "fine-tuning."
🔗 Read more: Houston Dynamo vs Phoenix Rising FC: The Rivalry That US Open Cup Fans Can't Quit
We have to acknowledge the reality: not every pick is a home run. Sai'vion Jones needs to show he can actually get on the field in 2026, or he’ll be labeled a bust pretty quickly. And while RJ Harvey was great, the team still struggled at times with short-yardage situations because they lacked a true "bruiser" after moving on from Estime (who actually ended up with the Saints).
The salary cap situation is much cleaner now that the Russell Wilson dead cap hit is finally off the books. Denver has around $35 million to play with, but a big chunk of that has to go toward the "rookie pool" and potential extensions for guys like Patrick Surtain II.
Actionable Steps for Broncos Fans
If you're tracking how this 2025 class evolves heading into the 2026 season, keep your eyes on these specific developments:
- Monitor the WR Depth Chart: Pat Bryant needs to beat out the veterans in training camp to become the true WR2. If Denver drafts another receiver high in 2026, it’s a bad sign for Bryant’s long-term prospects.
- The "Year 2 Jump" for Barron: Watch if Jahdae Barron starts taking reps away from Riley Moss. If he’s on the field for more than 50% of snaps by Week 4, the Broncos have a star.
- The Punting Consistency: Crawshaw was good, but he had a few "shanks" late in the season. Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi will be watching those net-yardage stats closely.
- Lohner’s Transition: Keep an eye on preseason reports regarding Caleb Lohner. If he makes the 53-man roster out of camp in 2026, his "project" status is officially over and he becomes a legitimate red-zone weapon.
The 2025 draft wasn't about finding a savior—Bo Nix is already that guy. It was about building the infrastructure to make sure the window stays open. So far, the results are a bit of a mixed bag, but the foundational pieces like Harvey and Barron look like they’re here to stay.