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Broncos Notes: Barron, Williams, Webb

May 26th, 2025 at 8:40pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Jahdae Barron‘s versatility was a major reason the Broncos selected him in the first round of April’s draft. According to head coach Sean Payton, he was “too unique to pass up” at No. 20. The Texas cornerback started at nickel in 2022 and 2023 before primarily playing on the boundary in 2024. He also logged at least 140 snaps in the box in each of the last three years, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

In Denver, Barron will likely line up in the slot as a rookie, according to Mike Klis of 9News. The Broncos are returning both of their outside CB starters in Patrick Surtain and Riley Moss, neither of whom have much experience at nickel. Ja’Quan McMillian filled that role last season, but Barron figures to be an upgrade who can match up with speedy slot receivers and bigger tight ends.

Barron’s multi-positional experience will give Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph plenty of options in the secondary, though he may have the rookie get comfortable at nickel before expanding his usage at different alignments.

Here is the latest out of Denver:

  • The Broncos lost several key members of their front office this offseason and tried to plug the gap with new co-director of player personnel Cam Williams. The former director of college scouting for the Patriots is “seen by many as a future GM,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, though he may have to leave Denver to land such a position. Current Broncos general manager George Paton is 55 years old, has a strong track record of success in the draft, and could continue in the job for a decade or more. A near-future appearance on the GM carousel will be something to monitor, however.
  • Despite the prevalence of the transfer portal in college football, the Broncos prioritized non-transfers in this year’s draft. Six of their seven picks played at least 41 games at one school, per ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, with three selections – Barron, Sai’vion Jones, and Jeremy Crawshaw – staying with one program for at least 50 games. Seventh-rounder Caleb Lohner played basketball at BYU and Baylor before transferring to Utah for one season of football. Payton said (via Legwold) that the transfer avoidance was “not by accident,” and demonstrated valuable intangibles like mental toughness and loyalty.
  • Jacksonville State offensive lineman Clay Webb received $225K in guaranteed money after signing with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent, according to Klis. The rookie guard received $15K as a signing bonus with another $210K in guaranteed salary, signaling that Denver sees him as a player worth developing along the interior of the offensive line.

Broncos Sign 13 UDFAs

May 13th, 2025 at 3:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos are heading to OTAs with 13 UDFAs as part of their rookie class. Here is that contingent:

Denver gave Truss a $150K guarantee, per 9News’ Mike Klis. Generally, multiyear starters during this Georgia period have required draft investments to add. The Broncos, however, brought in Truss — a 2023 second-team All-SEC guard who started three seasons for the Bulldogs, before earning a Combine invite — as a UDFA.

Both the guards in this group checked in as the highest-rated prospects (per ESPN’s Scouts Inc.), with Truss 224th and Webb 220th. Webb earned first-team All-Conference USA acclaim in 2024 and a second-team all-league honor in ’23. The Broncos have locked-in starters at guard (Ben Powers, Quinn Meinerz) but feature some questions behind them. Truss will compete with Webb, Calvin Throckmorton, 2024 draftee Nick Gargiulo and others for backup jobs.

Brown received $160K guaranteed to sign on, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. The honorable mention All-Big 12 performer will join a Broncos team that has some questions at linebacker. Denver has backstopped two starters coming off significant injuries — Dre Greenlaw, Alex Singleton — with only Justin Strnad and Drew Sanders, the latter having toggled between OLB and ILB roles. Sanders has settled at ILB heading into Denver’s on-field offseason work. Brown and Reid will attempt to make the roster or at least the 16-man practice squad.

One of two Mizzou products coming to Denver (where ex-Tigers Tyler Badie and Kris Abrams-Draine reside) in this rookie crop, Walker received a guarantee in the $160K range as well, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson notes. Walker was quite productive for the SEC team last season, finishing as a second-team all-conference performer after racking up 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. The Broncos drafted Alabama’s Que Robinson to join Jonah Elliss and starters Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper. Walker will compete with Robinson, Ellis and UFL import Dondrea Tillman (five 2024 sacks) for a backup job.

Newton is Toledo’s all-time leader in TD receptions, with 32. Having played in parts of six seasons with the Rockets certainly helps there, but Newton is coming off a 1,048-yard, 11-TD season. Newton cleared 800 receiving yards in each of his final three college slates, earning All-MAC acclaim for each.