The Denver Broncos followed through on general manager George Paton’s comments, tendering an offer to nickelback Ja’Quan McMillian. However, the decision will undoubtedly impact the Broncos’ 2025 first-round draft pick, Jahdae Barron.
He is not the only one, though.
It has created an air of uncertainty around the Broncos’ secondary, a strength along with their defensive line, heading into the 2026 offseason.
Broncos’ Jahdae Barron Set Bigger Role
GettyJahdae Barron #23 of the Denver Broncos takes the field before the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Buffalo Bills.
The Broncos and McMillian are still working toward a long-term deal, but Barron and fellow corner Riley Moss figure to feel the impact more than anywhere else on the defense, let alone the team.
The Denver Post’s Luca Evans believes the Broncos will seek to get “maximum value” out of Barron, and the “key to the puzzle” is how the organization views its 2025 first-round pick.
According to McMillian’s agent, Deryk Gilmore, the Broncos are moving Barron outside.
“I told JaQuan — I said, they have to give Jahdae every opportunity to win and be the guy,” Gilmore said, per Evans on February 27. “He’s got to take that corner (job) and lock it down. They don’t want to give it to him. He can do it, though. But they really would love for him to be great, [Pat] Surtain to be great, JMac to be the nickel, Riley to be the specialty guy.”
McMillian beat out Barron for the starting nickel role last offseason, and the veteran proceeded to have the best campaign of his career. Barron played in a specialized role that has garnered him attention for what it might mean for his future.
Jahdae Barron Carved Out Niche Role
GettyJahdae Barron #12 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the San Francisco 49ers.
He finished the regular season with 35 total tackles, 5 passes deflected, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery.
Along the way, a vision for him emerged.
“Barron played less than 20% of the defensive snaps this season in a unit with three All-Pros in it, but the Broncos see an emerging role for him as a cornerback, safety and dime linebacker,” ESPN’s Jeff Legwold wrote on February 3.
In December, NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks wrote, “The designated tight end stopper in Denver, Barron has emerged as a key contributor in a dime-defender role.”
That role could grow this season, but that might only force even more changes for the Broncos.
Broncos Expected to Field Trade Calls for NFL Rarity
GettyRiley Moss #21 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs.
With their plans for Barron possibly in the works, Evans noted that Gilmore “anticipates the Broncos will get trade offers for Moss somewhere around midseason, in his opinion.
Moss has been a polarizing player, heavily targeted while playing opposite Surtain, and holding his own, but also on the wrong side of too many pass interference calls, leading the NFL with eight PIs against him last season, per The Football Database.
The former third-round pick (2023) is also entering the final year of his contract.
The Broncos traded up to acquire Moss in his class, but now could see themselves facing a difficult decision of their own creation with Barron in the mix.
Moss is a rarity in the NFL as a white cornerback, which garnered attention as the Broncos moved him into the starting lineup. It became less of a point as the focus turned to his play. He allowed 57.6% completion, per Stathead, the best mark among CBs to face at least 100 targets.
Moss was the most heavily targeted player in the league, seeing 118 looks in his direction.
Agent Dishes on Former 1st-Round Pick, Expects Broncos Trade Interest