Denver Broncos

One of the Denver Broncos' prized free-agent signings this offseason reportedly could be sidelined for a bit.

NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who signed with the Broncos on a three-year deal in March, suffered a strained quadriceps and will miss some time during the offseason.

Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post confirmed that Greenlaw's injury was a strain and stated that it "should cost him a matter of weeks rather than months," so the 2025 season is "not expected to be in jeopardy" for him.

Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area previously reported that there was a belief that Greenlaw's injury was a torn quad, which would've cost him "a significant portion" of the upcoming campaign. Broncos fans will certainly be relieved that his injury isn't that serious. Greenlaw's deal with Denver is reportedly worth up to $31.5 million.

A six-year veteran, Greenlaw spent the first six years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. He set a career-high with 127 total tackles in 2022 and followed that up with 120 tackles in 2023 to help lead the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately, he injured his leg as he came off the sideline to start the second half and missed the remainder of the game as San Francisco went on to suffer a 25-22 loss in overtime. The injury was later revealed to be a torn Achilles.

After missing the first 13 games of the 2024 season, Greenlaw made a dramatic return to the field in December against the Los Angeles Rams and recorded eight tackles. Unfortunately, he experienced knee and calf soreness related to his Achilles injury the following week against the Miami Dolphins, and he didn't play again over the final two games of the season.

The Broncos had high hopes that Greenlaw would bring leadership and consistency to their defense, so it wouldn't be a surprise if they were cautious with his recovery from his latest injury to ensure that he's at his best when the 2025 season begins.

While there's been some thought the Denver Broncos might move up in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, they are keeping the door open to trading down from the No. 20 spot.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Broncos have been taking calls in the last few days from teams interested in moving up into their spot.

We are at the point in the draft cycle where virtually every team is either trying to trade up or trade down.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday the Broncos were one of the few teams looking to move up. They were frequently mentioned as a landing spot for Ashton Jeanty, who said Denver was one of the teams that talked with the most during the pre-draft process.

Top RB prospect Ashton Jeanty specifically mentioned the Broncos as a team who has spoken to him the most in the pre-draft process:

“The Denver Broncos…they were heavy on me.” 👀 (via @overtime) pic.twitter.com/j1lDndqpV3

— Amir Farrell (@BroncosAve) April 15, 2025

It would seemingly take an astronomical move for the Broncos to have a shot at Jeanty now because he is being heavily linked to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 5 overall pick.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Broncos are comfortable staying at No. 20 or moving back.

Sean Payton is not afraid to trade up for a player he likes. He traded up 22 times and didn't trade back once in his final 13 years with the New Orleans Saints.

It's notable that some teams are interested in the No. 20 pick because the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are being connected to Shedeur Sanders, are on the clock at 21.

Other teams that have been linked to Sanders in the pre-draft process include the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. Those two teams pick at the top of the second round at No. 33 and 34, respectively.

If one of those clubs thinks the Steelers are in on Sanders, it would be in their best interest to try getting ahead of them if they want the opportunity to select the Colorado star.

Trading down would allow the Broncos to add more draft capital. They currently own seven picks this year, with three of them in the sixth round.

The Denver Broncos selected LSU DL Sai'vion Jones with the No. 101 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Sai'von Jones was primarily used as an edge defender at LSU but would be better suited on the inside as more of a 4i- to 3-technique in the NFL. He lined up on the interior at the Senior Bowl and had success in both phases of the game. Also, he's not a good athlete or fluid mover but does have impressive size and strength.

Jones has good block recognition as a run defender and enough upper-body strength to lock out offensive linemen and win at the point of attack. When rushing the passer, he has solid power to collapse the pocket with a bull rush and has shown a decent rip move to win around the edge.

However, the LSU product is still learning how to use his long arms to his advantage in both phases of the game. He showed improvement this season but does have a habit of using wide hand placement against the run and is pretty inaccurate with his hands when rushing the passer.

Overall, Jones is a developmental prospect, especially if he's going to play a different position in the pros. However, there could be a team that likes his physical traits and is willing to be patient and work with him on the interior defensive line.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'5"

WEIGHT: 289

HAND: 10⅛"

ARM: 33½"

WINGSPAN: 82⅜”

40-YARD DASH: 4.74

VERTICAL: 33"

BROAD: 9'11"

POSITIVES

— Good block recognition as a run defender to put himself in a good position to take on blocks.

— When he keeps his hands tight against the run, he has the upper body strength and arm length to get extension against offensive linemen.

— Can close the gap with tight ends and offensive tackles who lean at the point of attack.

— Decent at getting off blocks against offensive linemen.

— Has solid power as a pass-rusher to collapse the pocket versus tackles, and has shown a solid rip move to win around the edge and help recover when he misses with his hands.

— Active hands when rushing the passer.

— Good pass-rush motor to get coverage sacks and a hustle player overall.

NEGATIVES

— Sub-par athlete overall, making it difficult for him to play on the edge in the NFL.

— Often late to react to the snap and lacks acceleration off the line of scrimmage.

— Could afford to be more physical at the point of attack.

— Inconsistent with his hand placement as a run defender, often landing too wide and exposing his chest.

— Accuracy with his hands when rushing the passer is poor, often missing and allowing offensive linemen to make the first significant contact.

— Struggles to break down in the backfield and lacks lateral movement skills, making it difficult to bring down shifty running backs and quarterbacks.

NOTES

— Born Jul. 3, 2003

— A 4-star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— Injuries: didn't suffer any major injuries in college but he was born with a rare breathing disorder and had a tracheotomy tube placed into his neck at three months old

GRADE: 6.3 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 187

POSITION RANK: DL18

PRO COMPARISON: William Gholston

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder

The Denver Broncos selected Illinois WR Pat Bryant with the No. 74 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Pat Bryant is a physical and alignment versatile possession receiver with good athleticism to win on the outside.

Pat Bryant has built up speed to attack the vertical plane. If given a free release with minimal contact, he strides upfield to work behind the cornerback. Bryant is a long strider and eats up ground when he is at top speed.

Regarding route running, Bryant uses subtle movements to push defenders off their spots and open space for him to work into. Bryant's hard jab steps at the top of routes to create the separation needed for his QB. He runs routes with good pacing and timing syncing with the other receivers' route patterns. Finding and working into voids in the defensive coverage shells is a strength of Bryant.

He identifies moving parts well post snap and gets to his landmarks—he understands when to settle into the void and keep going for instant YAC. Once the ball is caught, Bryant displays good burst/explosion, transitioning from receiver to runner. He gets north/south quickly to optimize his yards after catch opportunities.

Bryant thrives when the football is in flight due to his ball skills and body control. Acrobatic catches are common for him on the sideline. Bryant flashes late hands as the ball approaches and his defender is in tight coverage. He does a good job on back shoulder fades to decelerate and create late separation from his defender.

Top-end speed is questionable for Bryant. He can build speed up but is not a dynamic athlete at the snap. Defenders won't be deterred from tight press alignment, they will make him work to get over the top and stack them quickly. Bryant is inconsistent with using his wingspan at the catch point. Yes, he tracks the ball well but he will wait for it to drop instead of attacking it at its highest point with full extension. NFL defenders are adept at punching through the pocket to dislodge the ball and force pass breakups.

Overall, Pat Bryant projects as a well-rounded perimeter wide receiver. He is effective inside as a "power slot" in multi-WR sets. His plus-level run blocking and effort will put him in the coach's good graces. Bryant can be an adequate WR3 in an NFL offense.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'2"

WEIGHT: 208

HAND: 9⅜"

ARM: 31⅛"

WINGSPAN: 77¾"

40-YARD DASH: 4.61

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: 37.5"

BROAD: 10'4"

POSITIVES

— Innate ball skills and body control to win contested catches with high point ability.

— Good football IQ and feel for the game; identifies coverages post-snap.

— Long-striding athlete who can eat up grass and cushion if give a free release.

NEGATIVES

— Lacks immediate/instant explosiveness off the line of scrimmage.

— Despite height and frame, he doesn't utilize wingspan to the full extent at the catch point.

— Route tree is not overly polished or expanded.

NOTES

— Born Dec. 10, 2002

— 3-Star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: Second-Team All-Big Ten; Team captain

GRADE: 6.2 (Developmental Player — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 206

POSITION RANK: WR26

PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Rashod Bateman

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

The Denver Broncos selected Texas CB Jahdae Barron with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Jahdae Barron is a highly versatile defensive back with the ability to play multiple positions, including cornerback, nickel, and safety. Standing at 5'11" and 200 pounds, Barron has demonstrated the instincts and adaptability needed to contribute in almost any role within a defensive backfield. Known for his physicality, high motor, and football intelligence, Barron has shown that he can impact the game in both the run and pass game. Depending on the NFL team and scheme, his skills give him the potential to wreak havoc on the field, making him a valuable asset at the next level.

Barron excels in zone coverage, where his football IQ and understanding of leverage allow him to read the quarterback's eyes and anticipate threats. His ability to cover a variety of offensive players, including tight ends and larger receivers, is a standout trait. Barron puts himself in excellent positions, consistently attacking the ball through receivers and showing impressive timing when swiping through the catch point. However, despite his strong short-area quickness and twitch, Barron hesitates at times when breaking, which suggests he may not fully trust his eyes. Additionally, while he has good quickness in tight spaces, his lack of elite long speed can be a concern when trying to keep up with faster, vertical threats.

Barron is a force in the run game. His stout, aggressive nature allows him to play much bigger than his listed size, and he isn't afraid to mix it up in the box. Barron triggers downhill quickly and is a secure tackler who consistently plays with intensity and effort. He takes on blockers effectively, using his physicality to make plays near the line of scrimmage. His high motor and willingness to compete in the run game make him a reliable defender in all situations, and he's capable of handling the physical demands of playing close to the line of scrimmage.

Jahdae Barron projects as an early-round pick with the potential to become a versatile defensive weapon in the NFL. His ability to play multiple positions, combined with his high football IQ, physicality, and ball skills, gives him a high ceiling in a variety of defensive schemes. Barron's toughness and adaptability give him a solid footing immediately and will allow him to develop into a key contributor at the next level. His versatility and competitive nature make him an attractive option for teams seeking flexibility in their defensive backfield.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 5'11"

WEIGHT: 194

HAND: 9½”

ARM: 29⅝”

WINGSPAN: 73½”

40-YARD DASH: 4.39

VERTICAL: 35"

BROAD: 10'3"

POSITIVES

— Highly versatile player who is used in an almost limitless way at Texas.

— Stout, strong defender who excels in the run game. High-motor athlete who plays with reckless abandon. Secure tackler.

— Smart defender who identifies his threats in zone and plays with great leverage.

— Plays with very good ball skills. Puts himself in a very good position and attacks the ball through receivers. Able to defend bigger receivers.

NEGATIVES

— Hesitant when breaking at times. Looks like he doesn't trust his eyes.

— Although he has very good twitch in short area, he lacks elite long speed.

NOTES

— Born Dec. 4, 2001

— 4-Star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2023 Second-Team All-Big 12

GRADE: 8.1 (Year 1 Starter — 1st Round)

OVERALL RANK: 12

POSITION RANK: CB3

PRO COMPARISON: Desmond King

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

The Denver Broncos added Jacksonville State IOL Clay Webb as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft.

Clay Webb is a three-year starter at left guard inside Jacksonville State's run-heavy (67-33 run-pass split), zone-based run scheme with counter concepts mixed in. Webb has a sturdy, well-rounded build with adequate arm length, athletic ability, solid play strength and good power.

Webb wins as a run-blocker in the post on double-teams and on angle-drive blocks where he covers up and uproots his target to drive them onto their heels. He strains hard and runs his feet with a physical demeanor through the whistle that can generate the occasional knockdown. Webb has mediocre body control with rigid movement ability and rising pads late in the rep that saps his ability to adjust, sustain and recover out of compromising positions.

In pass protection, Webb excels when he gets his hands on rushers, quickly using a stiff, jolting punch with a firm anchor to stymie the bull rush. While he does well against power-oriented rushers, his below-average movement skills, length and exposure in pass protection show up in his inconsistent ability to slide, redirect and recover against countermoves.

Overall, Webb's lack of length, movement skills and polish in pass protection will make it difficult to stay at guard full-time in the NFL. But after a solid Senior Bowl showing at center with his play strength, he has a viable developmental pathway to stick on a roster at the pivot with the ability to get a team out of a pinch at guard.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'3"

WEIGHT: 312

HAND: 10"

ARM: 32"

WINGSPAN: 79"

40-YARD DASH: 5.11

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: 4.90

VERTICAL: 31"

BROAD: 8'11"

POSITIVES

— Thick, sturdy build with solid grip/core strength and good power on contact.

— Strains, runs his feet and explodes into contact to generate initial displacement in the post on double-teams and on angle-drive blocks.

— Has a stiff punch to deliver jolt, create lift and anchor quickly against power.

— His size and play strength matched up well against a rise in competition at the Senior Bowl.

NEGATIVES

— Has a rigidity to his game due to mediocre body control and recovery skills.

— Pads rise late in the rep that saps his leverage and control.

— Tardy strike timing with middling arm length exposes his chest to give up first meaningful contact.

— Is often a tick late diagnosing and passing off twists and stunts.

NOTES

— 5-star recruit from the 2019 class, per 247Sports

— Finished his high school wrestling career with a 45-1 record and 38 pins

— Originally committed to the University of Georgia, where he was a reserve from 2019-2021, before transferring to Jacksonville State in 2022

— 33 career starts at left guard

— Trained for the combine under Duke Manyweather at OL Masterminds in Texas

— Participated in the 2025 Senior Bowl

GRADE: 6.2 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 203

POSITION RANK: IOL22

PRO COMPARISON: Lucas Patrick

Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

The Denver Broncos selected UCF RB RJ Harvey with the No. 60 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

RJ Harvey is a make-you-miss runner with great shiftiness.

Harvey is a patient runner who attacks/presses the line of scrimmage with intent. He is a lane changer who can pivot and find alternative routes out of the backfield if the designed lane is clogged. Harvey possesses lateral agility and burst to execute jump cuts from one gap to another. He can press the interior run lanes and lateral cut to the B and C gaps.

Harvey is shifty and elusive as a ball carrier—with quickness and creativity, he defeats alley defenders. He strings together cuts well to sift through traffic. When rushing lanes open up, Harvey displays the burst and pop to explode through them and knife his way into the second and third levels of the defense. He makes guys miss and grasp for air like a guard crossing over defenders on the hardwood.

Harvey is a capable pass catcher out of the backfield on a few route concepts—flats, hitches, Texas/angle, and wheel/rail routes.

Unfortunately, Harvey is an unreliable pass protector. He scans the pocket but doesn't move with intent or urgency to pick up defenders closing in. He needs to display the desire to engage and protect this QB to ensure he receives the playing time to make an impact on Sundays. Harvey does not showcase long speed to be a consistent home run threat at the NFL level. He is run down by pursuing defenders more than one would prefer.

Harvey bounces runs too often. He will press the A or B gaps to pull second-level defenders into the lane before attempting to reverse course and bounce the run outside instead of taking what is blocked. This type of approach will not fly against NFL defenses. The speed is too great compared to the college level. This results in negative plays and will put the offense behind the chains.

RJ Harvey projects to be a change-of-pace RB2 for an NFL offense that runs inside zone, pin-pull, and duo concepts. His patience and ability to manipulate second-level defenders by pressing running lanes and escaping is impressive. The lack of long speed and chasing the big plays on the perimeter will keep him regulated as a rotational RB rather than the lead dog in the clubhouse.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 5'8"

WEIGHT: 207

HAND: 8⅝"

ARM: 30⅛"

WINGSPAN: 70⅝"

40-YARD DASH: 4.4

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: 4.34

VERTICAL: 38"

BROAD: 10'7"

POSITIVES

— Very patient runner with quick defensive recognition ability.

— Good burst and explosion through the initial layers of the defense.

— Follows lead blockers through traffic to daylight.

— One of the shiftiest RBs in the draft, difficult to tackle in space one-on-one.

NEGATIVES

— Lacks top-end and homerun speed to finish explosive plays for touchdowns.

— Liability in pass protection, undersized and lacks urgency to step up with physicality.

— Too dependent on bouncing runs to the outside, will turn down inside runs.

— Older prospect, been in college since 2019.

NOTES

— 3-Star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: First-Team All-Big 12; Doak Walker Award Semifinalist;

— 2023: All-Big 12 Honorable Mention

GRADE: 6.7 (Potential Role Player—4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 152

POSITION RANK: RB17

PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Austin Ekeler

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

After being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars before the start of NFL free agency, it didn't take long for tight end Evan Engram to find his next landing spot.

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Engram and the Denver Broncos agreed to terms on a two-year, $23 million contract that includes $16.5 million fully guaranteed. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the two sides met before free agency officially opened.

Engram spent the last three seasons in Jacksonville and emerged as a favorite target of star quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He earned his second career Pro Bowl selection in 2023 after recording career highs of 114 receptions and 963 receiving yards. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to duplicate that level of production in 2024.

After dealing with shoulder issues throughout the year, Engram was limited to nine games before being ruled out for the remainder of the season. He finished the year with 47 catches for 365 yards and one touchdown.

Engram spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the New York Giants after they selected him with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2017 draft. After some early injury woes, he found his groove and earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2020.

In Engram, the Broncos are getting an experienced veteran who could boost the passing attack led by second-year quarterback Bo Nix if he remains healthy. The 30-year-old should be motivated to return to form following his lackluster 2024 campaign.

The Denver Broncos "badly want a veteran wide receiver" to pair with Bo Nix as the quarterback enters his second season in the NFL, according to Mike Jones of The Athletic.

Jones also envisioned five-time Pro Bowl wideout Amari Cooper as a potential free-agent option.

"The 30-year-old never seemed to fully settle in with Buffalo after a midseason trade, but he should fit well with Sean Payton’s offense," Jones wrote.

The Broncos are coming off a resurgent 2024 campaign, finishing with an impressive 10-7 record and making the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season.

Nix wrapped up a strong rookie year, completing 66.3 percent of his throws for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions.

BO NIX TO MARVIN MIMS FOR 93 YARDS ON 3RD DOWN 🔥

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/5bD4lSx6Hz

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 3, 2024

Denver's receiving corps was headlined by Courtland Sutton, who amassed 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns. The Broncos didn't have many consistent options behind Sutton, as 22-year-old return specialist Marvin Mims finished No. 2 on the team with 503 receiving yards.

As for Cooper, he didn't meet expectations during a 2024 season spent with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. He averaged a career-low 39.1 yards per game across 14 appearances with both teams, finding the end zone four times.

Cooper is only one year removed from a 2023 campaign in which he racked up 1,250 yards on the Browns, though.

Running out of things to say about this Amari Cooper performance.

8 catches, 220 yards, 2 TDs.

📺: #CLEvsHOU on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UIg1XAjsX3 pic.twitter.com/ORrHeSrtfF

— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2023

The Broncos have the financial flexibility to sign him, as they posses just under $40.9 million in cap space (via Over the Cap).

As Denver attempts to build upon its postseason appearance and remain an AFC playoff contender, Cooper could be on the team's radar as it searches for an experienced wide receiver.

Michael Wilhoite is no longer the outside linebackers coach of the Denver Broncos following his February arrest. 

"After thorough discussions as an organization, I met with Michael Wilhoite and informed him we have decided to part ways," head coach Sean Payton said in a statement on Wednesday, per Nick Kosmider of The Athletic.

"We recognize the serious nature of the allegations against him and believe this is the best course of action at this time. I appreciate Michael's contributions to the Broncos and am confident he will move forward in a positive direction."

Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post noted Wilhoite was charged with felony assault of an officer, misdemeanor obstructing an officer and criminal mischief for an incident at the Denver International Airport.

According to the arrest affidavit, a police officer told him he could not leave his vehicle unattended in the arrivals drop-off lane, which prompted him to respond by saying, "shut the (expletive) up."

Wilhoite then "bumped" the officer's chest, which led to the officer shoving him back. That is when the former Broncos linebackers coach punched the officer in the face, according to police.

Wilhoite is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

He previously worked as a special teams and defensive assistant in 2019 and 2020 under Payton with the New Orleans Saints before joining the Los Angeles Chargers as their inside linebackers coach for the 2021 and 2022 campaigns.

The 2025 season was set to be his third with the Broncos prior to his firing.

Wilhoite also played six seasons in the NFL from 2012 to 2017 with the first five coming with the San Francisco 49ers and the final one coming with the Seattle Seahawks.