The Denver Broncos had a productive Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Here is how people are grading their picks.
It was a hectic day two for Denver Broncos fans after three trades and jockeying for draft selections in the 2025 NFL Draft landed the team three picks on the day instead of the two they started with.
In our Broncos draft tracker and open thread post, I asked fans to give some of their votes on the day and as of this writing, the results lean towards a solid B- with more C grades weighing down from the A grades. But perhaps that vote will swing after fans have slept on it, so if you haven’t voted yet here is that poll:
When we get into the national media, things are equally muddled. Everyone loved the RJ Harvey fit with Sean Payton, but it was a mixed bag when grading the Pat Bryant and Sai’vion Jones picks. Overall, however, the grades were decent and the tone on the offensive side of the ball seemed to be how well the two guys fit in Payton’s system.
On the defensive side, the Broncos got a guy with huge upside who will be able to play behind some really good players as a rookie and learn the ropes. It’s hard not to love where the Broncos are going with their roster.
SB Nation
60. Denver Broncos: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
Grade: A
Harvey was my 65th graded player, but also one of my favorite RBs in this class. A springy and bouncy runner with a low center of gravity, he’s going to make the Broncos offense much more explosive and dynamic as a runner and receiver. I love this pick for the Broncos, who need that explosiveness behind their powerful offensive line.
74. Denver Broncos: Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
Grade: C+
Bryant was player number 101 on my board, but man this feels like a reach by the Broncos. Bryant is a smooth player who isn’t overly fast, but has tidy route running and sure hands. The Broncos need explosiveness from their receiver room, however, and Bryant isn’t that. Lot of questions here.
101. Denver Broncos: Sai’vion Jones, DL, LSU
Grade: B-
I like this pick for Denver. Jones is a power player who can align in multiple fronts and wins with power and effort. No real home as a defensive lineman, but in Vance Joseph’s defense, he can thrive.
USA Today
60. Denver Broncos (from Lions): RJ Harvey, RB, UCF – Grade: B-
It’s a bit of a surprise to see the 5-8, 205-pound Harvey be selected ahead of some ball carriers who look better equipped to handle a substantial workload, but clearly Sean Payton saw something in the twitchy threat. Though he has substantial upside as a pass catcher who can help fill the “Joker” role, his rocky showings in protection could limit his usage.
74. Denver Broncos (from Panthers): Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois – Grade: C
Boosting Bo Nix is an understandable aim, but it’s difficult to understand how much adding a possession receiver moves the needle. Bryant was taken ahead of several targets who seemingly possess more upside.
101. Denver Broncos (from Rams via Falcons): Sai’vion Jones, DE, LSU – Grade: B
Nik Bonitto’s breakout season helped the Broncos’ pass rush reach new heights, but it never hurts to have additional weapons. Jones can be a bully against opposing linemen and spell others.
CBS Sports
60. Broncos: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF
Grade: A
This is the prime spot to pick a running back. Impressive patience by Sean Payton, George Paton and Co. Harvey is a smaller yet electric runner with plus burst, long speed, and serious side-to-side wiggle. Dynamic in the screen game too. New-age, versatile type. Think Bucky Irving.
74. Broncos: Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
Grade: B-
Rock-solid, fundamentally sound outside receiver without speed to threaten vertically in the NFL. Everything else about his game is by the book. Runs crisp routes. Can defeat press. Tracks it like a veteran. Demonstrates good YAC. Maybe a touch earlier because of the athleticism deficiencies yet he feels like an overachieving type. Limited upside though. More help for Bo Nix.
101. Broncos: Sai’Vion Jones, EDGE, LSU
Grade: B+
Most 280-plus pound EDGEs don’t move as fluidly as Jones, and he comes with stellar length for the position. There’s impressive change-of-direction to his game, although at times he’s slow getting off the ball. Relentless energy is the name of the game for him, and he simply needs to add more pass-rush moves to the arsenal to tap into all of his above-average traits and massive size.
Sports Illustrated
60. Denver Broncos (from Lions)
RJ Harvey, RB, Central Florida
Harvey is built like a fire hydrant at 5’ 8” and 205 pounds, and is one of the most gifted runners in the class. Playing at Central Florida, Harvey rushed for 2,993 yards and 38 touchdowns on 6.5 yards per carry over his past two seasons. Running a 4.4 40-yard dash, Harvey has both speed and elusiveness to offer at the next level. —MV
Scouting report: A patient runner with tremendous vision, Harvey is efficient, productive and has the wiggle to make defenders miss in tight spaces. Harvey’s adept at stacking jump cuts and taking runs outside, though his average burst and top gear may hurt his effectiveness in that regard as a pro. Harvey is an average pass catcher and below-average blocker, but his contact balance and vision should make him a potent piece to a rotation. —DF
Grade: B
74. Denver Broncos (from Panthers)
Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
Bo Nix is getting a versatile playmaker in his receiving corps. In three years as a starter at Illinois, Bryant played in various spots, including from the slot and in the backfield.
Bryant, who only had one drop last season, saw 78 targets last season and turned them into 54 catches for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. —GM
Scouting report: The 6’ 2”, 204-pound Bryant is a big, physical pass catcher who steadily grew across three seasons as a starter at Illinois. Bryant has terrific ball skills and reliable hands, routinely finishing in small spaces and through contact. He’s not highly sudden nor fast, which limits his upside and ability to create space. But Bryant, who’s instinctive, tough and can create yards after catch with his power, has the nuance to overcome his athletic limitations. —DF
Grade: B
101. Denver Broncos
Sai’vion Jones, edge, LSU
The Broncos continue to build their defense with Jones, who should see some time as a rotational lineman. With the Tigers, Jones was able to amass 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in the SEC, giving the Broncos a reason to take him at the end of Day 2. —MV
Scouting report: Built like a traditional base defensive end, the 6’ 5”, 280-pound Jones wins with both speed, nuance and effort. He’s quick off the ball, is flexible enough to flatten at the top of his rushes and flashed inside counters when tackles over-set. Jones’s success as a run defender hinges on punch timing and whether he gets better at disengaging when tackles get their hands on him, but his pass rush tools should excite teams. —DF
Grade: C+