Ninth in a series previewing the Broncos’ 2025 roster in the weeks leading up to the start of training camp in late July. Today: Cornerbacks. Previously: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Offensive line | Defensive line | Outside linebackers | Inside linebackers
On the roster (11): Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, Jahdae Barron, Ja’Quan McMillian, Kris Abrams-Draine, Damarri Mathis, Reese Taylor, Quinton Newsome, Joshua Pickett, Jaden Robinson, Mario Goodrich
How many on the 53?: 5-6.
The Broncos are set on the top line with one of the best starting groups in the NFL — regardless of who wins the nickel job. They figure to end up a little bit heavy at either corner or safety, but probably not both. That will come down to back-of-the-roster positioning and who special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi wants as core players for his unit. Those questions certainly matter over the course of a season. A couple of guys left off the 53-man roster will certainly be practice squad candidates, but in the front of the room, Denver’s got enviable talent led by reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II. Moss had a really good second season before a knee injury slowed him down the stretch. McMillian’s gone from undrafted free agent to proven commodity in the slot. And there’s depth, too.
Most impactful offseason move: Drafting Barron No. 20 overall.
That depth is led by the Broncos’ new first-round pick, the versatile Barron. He could well end up being a starter (more on that later), but at the very least, his selection sends a message from head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton: Just because the secondary was good last year doesn’t mean there’s satisfaction. Corners and nickels are premium players in today’s NFL. The Broncos think they landed another in Barron. Building on a strength comes with the natural risk that an area of relative weakness doesn’t get addressed, but in this case Denver felt Barron was too good to pass up. Now they should deploy one of the most talented, versatile cornerback corps in the NFL.
Biggest question to answer in camp: Can Moss build on his standout second season?
Moss’ rookie year in 2023 was impacted from the start by core muscle surgery that cost him most of his first training camp. By the end of Year 1, he was a good special teams player. In Year 2, he competed with Levi Wallace in camp for a starting job and won it, but entered the fall as something of a question mark. The 2023 third-round pick out of Iowa, however, put together a terrific second season. At least until December. Then a knee injury cost him three games, and he got worked over in his return after Christmas by Cincinnati star Tee Higgins. Moss should be back to full speed this fall, and whether he builds on Year 2 and turns himself into a true upper-level player will go a long way in determining just how frightening this group will be. One thing that isn’t a question: Teams are going to target Moss a ton because he plays opposite Surtain. He’s always maintained he likes that challenge.
Battle to watch: McMillian vs. Barron for the nickel job.
This one has been in the making since the Broncos turned in their draft card back in April. McMillian’s a great story and a good player, but he didn’t have the kind of impact last year that he had during his breakout run over the second half of 2023. Now there’s a playmaking first-round pick standing between him and keeping his job. Barron could end up playing outside if needed, and the Broncos think he could even play safety in a pinch, but looking at the depth chart and assuming Surtain and Moss stay healthy, Barron profiles early on as a slot man. This should be one of the best competitions in camp.
Under the radar player: Abrams-Draine.
Paton said this spring that of all of Denver’s 2024 draft picks, the fifth-round corner was one of the slower-developing ones in training camp. By the time December rolled around, though, Abrams-Draine was ready for his shot. The Broncos got fed up with Wallace getting torched on Monday Night Football by Jerry Jeudy and threw their rookie into a hot spot. He not only handled it with aplomb, but he played well when called upon down the stretch. Most years, we’d be talking about Abrams-Draine as a potential Year 2 breakout. In this group, he might end up just being really high-quality, young depth. That’s when you know you’ve got it good.
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