Broncos' 2025 NFL Draft Grades: Reaching Too Far for Talent?

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The 2025 NFL Draft class for the Denver Broncos It’s in the book, now comes the part where we assign grades.

Certainly, we won’t determine whether these selections made by Denver turned out well until several years have passed. However, we can make educated guesses considering their performance during college, how their abilities align with the strategies employed by the Broncos, and their potential for growth athletically. Below are our assessments of each of the seven players chosen by Denver in this draft.

CB Jahdae Barron: A-

Barron ticks every box you'd hope for in a top draft choice, including exceptional performance, athletic ability, adaptability, smartness, and professional conduct on and off the field. Barron is expected to make an immediate difference when playing as a nickel cornerback and might even start alongside Patrick Surtain II in 2026.

Some may feel let down that the Broncos chose not to select an offensive playmaker in the first round, yet Denver seems focused on maintaining a formidable defense. Given the high number of top-tier quarterbacks within the AFC, this approach makes sense.

RB RJ Harvey: C-

Kudos to the Broncos for addressing their most pressing need with one of their top draft picks, although selecting Harvey at pick number 60 was quite questionable. In my view, running backs like Kaleb Johnson, Cam Skattebo, and Trevor Etienne would have been more suitable choices at that stage.

Given how often Denver traded throughout this year's draft, it would have been worth trading up for either TreVeyon Henderson or Quinshon Judkins. Harvey does have a nice balance of speed and balance, as well as receiving ability, but he's also very small at 5-foot-8 and struggles in pass protection.

WR Pat Bryant: C-

This was another reach by the Broncos in my estimation, as they very likely could have gotten Bryant with either of their following two picks, and possibly even with their sixth-round selection.

While I appreciate Bryant’s proficiency in run blocking, his primary focus should be enhancing his receiving capabilities since he was picked within the top 100. Despite playing robustly, he lacks size and speed. Although he could develop into a reliable option for short-yardage situations and excel on special teams, my view of Bryant leans towards him being merely adequate backup material.

DL Sai'Vion Jones: B-

Denver returned to form by choosing Jones in the third round. This pick aligns perfectly with what the Broncos look for in a defensive lineman—strong, adaptable, and skilled at rushing the passer. As a newcomer, Jones can acclimate to the team’s system without the immediate stress of playing extensive minutes. By 2026, he might be prepared to step into a starting role.

EDGE Que Robinson: C

I enjoy Robinson, however adding consecutive defensive linemen to an already formidable Broncos front seven seems excessive. While Robinson has limited experience, he showed significant promise as a pass rusher during his time at Alabama last year. With development, he might become a reliable player in the future, but he likely won’t make substantial contributions until perhaps 2025 or maybe not even by 2026.

P Jeremy Crawshaw: D

Denver certainly required a punter after Riley Dixon left through free agency, but drafting one seems unnecessary. They might have chosen Crawshaw in the seventh round or even signed him as an undrafted free agent. While he undoubtedly has talent, should he fail to perform well, this decision could reflect poorly on Denver.

TE Caleb Lohner: C

When all is said and done, it’s difficult to be overly harsh on a player selected in the seventh round of the draft. The Broncos are essentially rolling the dice with Lohner, considering his impressive physical attributes and athletic ability make him an ideal fit for a position they will soon require. Given that Evan Engram only has a two-year deal, Lohner has potential to compete for a spot on the team down the line. However, significant development still lies ahead for him.

Related: Broncos UDFA Watchlist: Denver aims to complete its roster with possible overlooked prospects after the 2025 NFL Draft