2025 Draft Grade: B
Denver's 2025 draft started with them getting a player I was sure would never get to pick 20. Barron is a versatile defensive back that could thrive in a hybrid role in Vance Joseph's defense. Barron has the instincts and willingness to affect the run, the physical traits to cover, and the invaluable ability to create turnovers. That was a home run of a pick for a defense that doesn't have a ton of weak spots.
After the selection of Barron, I was a big fan of taking R.J. Harvey as well, as he was one of my draft sleepers that I thought many scouts were overlooking. Still, after that, I felt the Broncos draft was pretty underwhelming. I felt this class offered plenty in the way of talented pass-catchers that could add to a young, evolving offensive huddle, but Pat Bryant wasn't someone I saw going on day two.
Time will tell whether Bryant, and the rest of Denver's draft haul can develop into players that help this roster moving forward, but I'm my enthusiasm dims once we get beyond the additions of Barron and Harvey.
Looking ahead - 2026 Draft
Part of the reason I'm skeptical on some of Denver's day two and three selections is that fact that the jury is still out on a good portion of this roster. Nobody overachieved more in the AFC that the Broncos, but with so many players elevating their games in 2025, it's hard to distinguish which were flash-in-the-pan performances, and which finally had the lightbulb come on. Odds some of those guys are going to return to their previous form in 2025. Does this team have a guy ready to supplant a 30-year-old Courtland Sutton as the team's go-to target? Is the Broncos' offensive line riddle closer to be solved or driving us crazy? Is this pass-rush for real' like really real? One thing is for sure. The 2025 season was as fun as it was surprising for the Mile High Faithful, and I'd hate for an alternate reality to hit this fall.
~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst
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