The Denver Broncos finalized their 2025 NFL Draft class on Saturday as they shift their sights on signing undrafted rookie free agents. What are the key takeaways from the Broncos rookie class?
Denver Broncos finalize 2025 NFL Draft class
The NFL Draft has concluded, and the Denver Broncos came away with seven total players during the extravaganza. Denver ultimately came away from the draft by adding two pieces in the first and second rounds that figure to have an instant impact as rookies, where the rest of the rookie class features depth options that will push and compete at several positions.
Before we dive deeper into the rookie class, one thing that’s stood out about the draft process this year, in particular, is that mock drafts have ruined natural discourse, especially surrounding players who aren’t household names. Mock draft simulators project players to go to certain teams in certain rounds, and disappointment occurs when a player isn’t picked where projected.
A large part of Broncos Country in my social media mentions and podcast comments are tearing the Broncos’ draft class apart because it doesn’t contain the flashy names projected in the endless stream of mock drafts that Sean Payton said are embarrassing.
Let’s be very clear here — the Broncos added two immediate impact pieces in the first two rounds and added players who possess the ability to compete for playing time this season or develop into key pieces in two or three years. That’s the goal of the draft.
Going into the week, the Broncos offense and defense were fully intact regarding starters on both sides of the ball, with the biggest question coming at running back.
Round 1, Pick 20 – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Nobody expected the Broncos to take a cornerback with their first round selection this year, but they did, and they added an elite-level premium player at a premium position. Jahdae Barron will have an immediate impact this season and will play quite a bit because of his positional versatility.
Fans wanted Denver to take a running back in the first round, and the Broncos had interest in Ashton Jeanty, but they were never going to be in a position to pick him. Barron was a player they had ranked high on their draft board and never thought he’d fall to them at that position.
Adding another elite-level defensive back to the mix, opposite of Patrick Surtain II, is important. Let us not forget how rough the final weeks of the season were when Riley Moss went down with an injury.
Round 2, Pick 60 – RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
Ashton Jeanty would have likely been the Broncos pick in the first round if he was still there at 20th overall but that was never going to be a reality. After Jeanty came off the board early, the Broncos shifted their sights on UCF rusher RJ Harvey.
Harvey’s an electrifying player who has the ability to be a home-run player with great vision, 4.4 speed, and bruising physicality.
“We didn’t want to lose him, obviously,” Payton said. “But we felt like moving back would set the tone for the day, would give us flexibility to do what we want to do for the day, and it did. Harvey—[he] was kind of our pet cat throughout the process. His running style, he’s dynamic, really good vision, really good instincts, really good contact balance, highly explosive. We thought maybe he had the best vision in the draft. You see the plus-10s, I think he leads everyone with plus-10 runs. Home run ability… We feel like he can improve in the pass game. He wasn’t featured there, but we really liked this [running] back.”
His game film is exciting to watch, and I’ll have several film rooms up this week that showcase what he does. He’s patient as a runner and identifies when the hole opens up quickly.
Round 3, Pick 74 – Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
A lot of people are calling the Broncos’ selection of Bryant a ‘reach’ in the third round. Perhaps in the eyes of some analysts that may be the case, but he possesses 6’3 size and adds depth to a position where the team feels like he has intangibles that matter to what Payton wants to do offensively.
He was a captain, he blocks well as a receiver, he has reliable hands and doesn’t drop passes, and he has size. He ran a 4.61 40-yard dash and isn’t a burner in the speed department, but a simple glance at watching him on film shows that he’s explosive with the pads on and makes plays on a consistent basis.
That’s what Payton and the Broncos wanted to add to their roster. This draft was never going to be about adding starters with every pick, especially with Payton’s comments on the team’s receiver room before the draft.
In his last two seasons at Illinois, Bryant hauled in 17 touchdowns, with 10 of them coming last season. He averaged nearly 18.2 yards per catch in 2024.
Round 3, Pick 101 – Sai’vion Jones, DE/EDGE, LSU
Sai’vion Jones adds immediate depth to the Broncos defensive line, specifically at defensive end. Jones possesses a high motor that stands out on tape, and that’s something that fits into the DNA of what defensive line coach Jamar Cain emphasizes for his group.
He had 4.5 sacks last season at LSU and had eight tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles. Jones is a pressure player, creating stress for quarterbacks 43 times in 2024.
He’ll likely come in and compete to rotate in on defense with Jordan Jackson, behind Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers who are the projected starters.
Round 4, Pick 134 – Que Robinson, EDGE, Alabama
Denver’s edge rusher group is getting more depth after the addition of Que Robinson. Robinson now joins Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Jonah Elliss, and Dondrea Tillman in that room.
He’ll compete for potential snaps on special teams this upcoming season after excelling as a special-teams ace at Alabama. On top of that, he has explosive playmaking capabilities on defense as a pass rusher with quickness and bend to his game, and possesses a variety of different pass rush moves.
Robinson has the tools to be a potential surprise contributor in 2025.
Round 6, Pick 216 – Jeremy Crawshaw, Punter, Florida
Despite signing veteran punter Matt Haack in NFL Free Agency, the Broncos and new special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi are adding Florida punter Jeremey Crawshaw to the team where he’ll compete with the veteran punter for the starting job in 2025.
This position was important for Denver to add to with the veteran punter market drying up.
Crawshaw had substantial contact with the Broncos in the predraft process. According to the newly drafted punter, Rizzi worked Crawshaw out at his Pro Day.
“I had a fair amount with [Special Teams Coordinator Darren] Rizzi,” Crawshaw said. “I spoke to him a couple of times on the phone. He came out to my Pro Day and worked pretty intently with me. Then I got to have a couple of lunches with him as well. I’ve spoken to him a little bit over this process, and it’s been really good for me.”
His career average at Florida was 46.4 yards per punt in 53 games. He’ll likely be the favorite to win the job if he has a strong training camp.
Round 7, Pick 241 – Caleb Lohner, TE, Utah
With their final pick of the draft, Payton and the Broncos took a chance on a player with high upside. He’s a former basketball player, but showcased potential as a football player, especially with his 6’8 size.
In 12 games at Utah in 2024, he caught four passes for 54 yards but hauled in four touchdowns. Every catch he made last season was a touchdown.
Payton said that Lohner possesses ‘developmental upside’ and he’ll get the chance to get more positional reps during training camp and OTAs.
Final thoughts on Denver Broncos draft class
The Broncos 2025 rookie class doesn’t contain a lot of household names, but it’s apparent that the team feels like they are in a position roster wise to add depth pieces that will be put in a position to compete and grow with a large part of their roster intact with starters at every position on offense and defense.
Barron and Harvey will be players who will likely have an immediate impact. Bryant, Jones, Robinson, and Crawshaw could very well find themselves on the field this upcoming season as well..