Renck: There is no ambiguity around the Broncos. They are a good team working for a good owner, playing for a good coach, who has put them in position to believe they are capable of winning the Super Bowl. And that is why it is time to have the conversation about Jahdae Barron. He has to start, right? The Broncos did not take him with the 20th pick in the draft to trumpet their depth and provide an excuse to invite Matthew McConaughey to a game this fall. As Barron continues his climb this preseason, will he do enough to move past nickel cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian on the depth chart?
Keeler:All right, all right, all right! Hey, I’d love to see David Wooderson in the flesh at Empower. But let me ask you two things: First, other than that early Jones-to-Watkins connection in Santa Clara (and that was a heck of a throw), what exactly has McMillian done to lose his spot as the No. 1 slot corner? Second, and more to the point, what has Barron done — at camp or over two preseason games — to stake his claim? Yeah, Jahdae has been flying all over the place. He’s got a higher ceiling. And higher expectations. You’ve got to earn that path to the starting 11. It’ll come, but Barron’s not there yet.
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Renck: Sean Payton is fond of telling rookies that it doesn't matter how they got to Denver, it is what they do when here. It is a motivational reminder for longshots and late-round picks alike that their resumes will be considered. That is how McMillian worked his way into a starting spot. He represents a heck of a find as an undrafted free agent. McMillian is good, but his mistakes are costly. Barron is better. It is not on display every day. But it is there. Defensive boss Vance Joseph has given Barron reps at nickel and outside, and it should not surprise anyone if he comes on a safety blitz. Joseph raves about his football IQ. Moving Barron around has prevented linear progress on purpose. Joseph wants him to learn from mistakes in camp, not games. But given his length and tackling ability, there's no reason to delay moving him in with the 1s in Week 1.
Keeler: Love the idea of Barron as a defensive joker — a lengthy, fast, stealthy weapon who's just as dangerous crashing the box as he is dropping back. As a junior, Barron led the Longhorns in tackles for loss (11.5). He doesn't just make you better. Like Evan Engram and Marvin Mims on offense, he allows you to get creative with how you use his skill set. The only limit is your imagination.
Renck: The addition of Barron and progress of Kris Abrams-Draine give the Broncos' their deepest secondary since the 2015 No Fly Zone. That group featured a rookie starter at nickel in Bradley Roby. The NFL is becoming a position-less league defensively. Barron represents the next wave. He is Bo Nix at quarterback: a terrific athlete with a bloated college resume known for his intelligence. McMillian will get snaps in packages, but Barron's future is now.
Keeler: Fair point, but you also don't have to force it, either. You know who had to wait until Week 2 of his rookie campaign to make his first NFL start? Only the best defensive player in the dang league. Pat Surtain II was "eased in" on nickel/dime packages during his pro debut at MetLife Stadium against the Giants in Week 1 of 2021. PS2 got 16 snaps, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com, as Uncle Vic Fangio doled out most of the cornerback snaps to Kyle Fuller, Ronald Darby and Bryce Callahan. We all know what happened next: Darby got hurt in Jersey, PS2 moved up, and the rest is Broncos history. Just because Barron might not start against the Titans doesn't mean he won't become a Front Range fixture. You've got time. Even better, you've got options. Darn good ones.
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Originally Published: August 18, 2025 at 9:51 AM MDT