Tag: Ja’Quan McMillian

Broncos have 5 ERFAs and 1 RFA ahead of NFL free agency

Ahead of NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos have to make decisions on five ERFAs and one RFA.

In addition to 13 unrestricted free agents, the Denver Broncos will also have five exclusive rights free agents (ERFAs) and one restricted free agent (RFA) in 2025.

ERFAs have no leverage in negotiations. They are players with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expiring contract. Teams can offer their in-house ERFAs one-year, league-minimum contracts.

If an ERFA player is offered a league-minimum tender by his club, he is not eligible to negotiate with other teams. If his original club declines to offer him an ERFA tender, though, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Meanwhile, an RFA is a player with three accrued seasons and an expiring contract. RFAs are eligible to receive a first-round ($7,279,000), second-round ($5,217,000) or a right of first refusal ($3,185,000) tender that lasts for one season.

If the Broncos, for example, place a first-round tender on an RFA and that player signs a bigger contract with another team, that club would have to send a first-round pick to Denver for the player. The same concept applies to a second-round tender, and the right of first refusal tender would give the team a chance to match an offer a player might receive from another club.

If the Broncos decline to place a tender on a restricted free agent, that player would become an unrestricted free agent.

Here’s the full list of Denver’s ERFAs and RFAs in 2025, via OverTheCap.com.

Broncos ERFA and RFA players

  1. TE Lucas Krull (ERFA)
  2. DB Devon Key (ERFA)
  3. OLB Dondrea Tillman (ERFA)
  4. DL Jordan Jackson (ERFA)
  5. CB Ja’Quan McMillian (ERFA)
  6. LS Mitchell Fraboni (RFA)

The NFL’s 2025 negotiating period will run from March 10-12 ahead of the official start of NFL free agency on March 12.

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Broncos have 19 players scheduled to become free agents in 2025

The Broncos have 19 players scheduled to become free agents in 2025, including RB Javonte Willams, DL D.J. Jones and QB Zach Wilson.

After falling to the Buffalo Bills 31-7 in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs on Sunday, the Denver Broncos have have now entered offseason mode.

The Broncos have 19 players scheduled to become free agents this spring, including 13 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in the spring, according to OverTheCap.com.

The team’s list of UFAs includes running back Javonte Williams, defensive lineman D.J. Jones, inside linebacker Cody Barton and both backup quarterbacks: Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.

Denver also has a restricted free agents in long snapper Mitchell Fraboni, plus five exclusive rights free agents, including slot cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian. Here’s a quick list of the team’s 19 pending free agents, with the RFAs and ERFAs noted.

Broncos 2025 free agents

  1. DL D.J. Jones
  2. QB Zach Wilson
  3. QB Jarrett Stidham
  4. LB Cody Barton
  5. CB Tremon Smith
  6. RB Javonte Williams
  7. P Riley Dixon
  8. LB Justin Strnad
  9. OL Matt Peart
  10. CB Levi Wallace
  11. LB Zach Cunningham
  12. FB Michael Burton
  13. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
  14. LS Mitchell Fraboni (RFA)
  15. TE Lucas Krull (ERFA)
  16. OLB Dondrea Tillman (ERFA)
  17. DB Devon Key (ERFA)
  18. DL Jordan Jackson (ERFA)
  19. CB Ja’Quan McMillian (ERFA)

The NFL’s 2025 negotiating period will run from March 10-12 ahead of the official start of NFL free agency on March 12.

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12 players who might play last game for Broncos on Sunday

These players might be playing their final game with the Broncos on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos will aim to clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs with a win (or tie) against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. If they don’t beat the Chiefs, the Broncos’ season could end in Week 18.

Whenever their season does end, the Broncos will have 13 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in the spring, according to OverTheCap.com.

The list of UFAs includes running back Javonte Williams, defensive lineman D.J. Jones, linebacker Cody Barton and both backup quarterbacks: Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.

Some of those players might not return in 2025, so if Denver does not make the playoffs, Sunday could be their final game with the Broncos.

Broncos 2025 free agents

  1. DL D.J. Jones
  2. QB Zach Wilson
  3. QB Jarrett Stidham
  4. LB Cody Barton
  5. CB Tremon Smith
  6. RB Javonte Williams
  7. P Riley Dixon
  8. LB Justin Strnad
  9. OL Matt Peart
  10. LB Zach Cunningham
  11. FB Michael Burton
  12. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey

The NFL’s 2025 negotiating period will run from March 10-12 ahead of the official start of NFL free agency on March 12.

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Broncos CB Kris Abrams-Draine is ‘built for moments like this’

“He’s built for moments like this,” Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain said of impressive rookie Kris Abrams-Draine.

The Denver Broncos seem to have done it again.

Three years ago, the Broncos used a first-round draft pick to select cornerback Pat Surtain. All-Pro.

Two years ago, Denver signed Ja’Quan McMillian as an undrafted free agent. Impressive slot cornerback.

Last year, the Broncos used a third-round pick to select Riley Moss. Pro Bowl-talent.

This year, Denver used a fifth-round pick to add Kris Abrams-Draine. So far so good.

With Moss (knee) sidelined, Abrams-Draine made his NFL debut in Week 13, then he saw extensive action in Week 15 coming out of the bye. He allowed just one catch for 11 yards in 34 coverage snaps on Sunday, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

“The last two weeks, he showed some moxie, stayed with his guys, didn’t panic when the ball was in the air,” coach Sean Payton said this week. “There’s something about him and so … I was really encouraged.”

Abrams-Draine rotated with Damarri Mathis, who also played well on Sunday. Mathis has had an up-and-down tenure in Denver and he has one year left on his contract, so it’s no surprise that fans have focused on Abrams-Draine over the last two weeks.

“He’s developing very well,” Surtain said when asked about Abrams-Draine last week. “He’s learning fast. He’s played a good amount of ball — a great amount of ball actually in the SEC. He’s built for moments like this. To see him out there with those few snaps, I think he did pretty good.”

The 23-year-old defensive back appears to have a bright future ahead of him, and the Broncos might just have the best cornerback room in the NFL.

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Broncos have 21 players scheduled to become free agents in 2025

The Broncos’ list of players scheduled to become free agents in 2025 includes Garett Bolles, Javonte Williams and the both backup QBs.

The Denver Broncos have already given a four-year contract extension to outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper. Now attention turns toward the team’s 21 other players scheduled to become free agents in 2025.

The Broncos have 14 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in the spring, according to OverTheCap.com. Perhaps most notable among the team’s UFAs is left tackle Garett Bolles. The list of UFAs also includes running back Javonte Williams, defensive lineman D.J. Jones, linebacker Cody Barton and both backup quarterbacks: Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.

Denver also has a pair of restricted free agents in offensive lineman Quinn Bailey and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni, plus five exclusive rights free agents, including cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian. Here’s a quick list of the team’s 21 pending free agents, with the RFAs and ERFAs noted.

Broncos 2025 free agents

  1. OT Garett Bolles
  2. DL D.J. Jones
  3. QB Zach Wilson
  4. QB Jarrett Stidham
  5. LB Cody Barton
  6. CB Tremon Smith
  7. RB Javonte Williams
  8. P Riley Dixon
  9. LB Justin Strnad
  10. OL Matt Peart
  11. CB Levi Wallace
  12. LB Zach Cunningham
  13. FB Michael Burton
  14. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
  15. OL Quinn Bailey (RFA)
  16. LS Mitchell Fraboni (RFA)
  17. TE Lucas Krull (ERFA)
  18. OLB Dondrea Tillman (ERFA)
  19. DB Devon Key (ERFA)
  20. DL Jordan Jackson (ERFA)
  21. CB Ja’Quan McMillian (ERFA)

The NFL’s 2025 negotiating period will run from March 10-12 ahead of the official start of NFL free agency on March 12.

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Brian Baldinger breaks down Broncos’ best players vs. Browns

Brian Baldinger broke down film of the Broncos’ top performers against the Browns on Monday.

The Denver Broncos defeated the Cleveland Browns 41-32 in a complete team effort on Monday Night Football earlier this week.

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger recently took to Twitter/X to review the film of some of the team’s biggest contributors in Monday’s win. Up first is Baldinger’s review of quarterback Bo Nix’s 93-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marvin Mims:

Up next is Baldinger reacting to Nix going right back to Courtland Sutton after the receiver dropped a pass:

Baldinger then reviewed Jaleel McLaughlin’s impressive performance:

Up next is praise for guard Quinn Meinerz, tackle Mike McGlinchey and tight end Adam Trautman on Javonte Williams’ touchdown run:

Baldinger also praised cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, who has been one of his favorite players all season:

And last but certainly not least, Baldinger broke down Nik Bonitto’s big game:

Denver now has a bye this week before hosting the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

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Late Ja’Quan McMillian pick-six ices Broncos’ wild win over Browns

The Broncos outlasted the Browns in a wild game with 73 points

The Denver Broncos’ defense allowed more than 500 yards to Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns. When a big play was needed late, it somehow delivered.

Ja’Quan McMillian picked off a Jameis Winston pass and returned it 44 yards for a score to seal the Broncos’ 41-32 win over the Browns on Monday Night Football.

It was the second pick-six of the game thrown by Winston.

Former Bronco Jerry Jeudy had nine catches for 235 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

Winston threw for 497 yards but had the two critical pick-sixes and another interception on the Browns’ final drive of the game..

Broncos beat Browns 41-32 in ‘Monday Night Football’ thriller

What a wild ‘Monday Night Football’ game! The Broncos now go into their bye week with an 8-5 record following Monday’s win.

The Denver Broncos improved to 8-5 with a 41-32 victory in a Monday Night Football thriller against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season.

After the Broncos punted on their opening drive, Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins missed a 47-yard field goal attempt on Cleveland’s first possession of the game. Nix then led a 12-play, 63-yard drive that was capped off by a two-yard touchdown run from Javonte Williams to take a 7-0 lead.

With Denver cornerback Riley Moss (knee) sidelined, the Browns attacked fill-in cornerback Levi Wallace on their next drive as quarterback Jameis Winston connected on an eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku to tie the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Browns cornerback Denzel Ward tipped a Nix pass intended for Troy Franklin into the air and it was intercepted by Greg Newsome. Cleveland capitalized off that takeaway with a 45-yard Hopkins field goal to take a 10-7 lead.

Later in the second quarter, the Broncos went 67 yards on six plays and fullback Michael Burton scored on a one-yard run to make it 14-10. Shortly thereafter, Denver pass rusher Nik Bonitto made a game-changing play with a 71-yard pick-six to extend the lead to 21-10.

The Browns bounced back after that pick-six as Winston led an 11-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a four-yard touchdown pass to Njoku to cut the deficit to 21-17 just before halftime.

In the third quarter, Nix threw a 93-yard touchdown pass to receiver Marvin Mims to make it 28-17.

Winston matched that score with a 70-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Jeudy. After a successful two-point conversion thrown to Jeudy, Cleveland made it a field goal game, 28-25. Broncos kicker Wil Litz later converted a 36-yard field goal to increase the lead to 31-25.

In the fourth quarter, Nix was intercepted by Ward when he threw a deep pass intended for Mims. The Browns capitalized on that takeaway as Winston later threw a five-yard touchdown pass to running back Nick Chubb to give Cleveland a 32-31 lead with just under nine minutes remaining in the game.

Denver then used up just over six minutes on a 61-yard drive that ended with a 27-yard Lutz field goal to retake a 34-32 lead. Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian then grabbed a 46-yard pick-six to make it 41-32.

Denver linebacker Cody Barton then sealed the game with an interception on the final drive of the game.

Winston threw for 497 yards and four touchdowns, but his three interceptions proved to be costly. Nix totaled 294 passing yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions.

Up next for the Broncos is a bye in Week 14 followed by a home game against the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 15.

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WATCH: Ja’Quan McMillian grabs 46-yard pick-6 vs. Browns

What a huge play by Ja’Quan McMillian!!!

Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian grabbed a crucial interception in the fourth quarter of Monday’s game against the Cleveland Browns and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown.

Here’s video of the play, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter/X page:

Following the score, the Broncos lead the Browns 41-32.

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5 Broncos players who deserve to make the 2025 Pro Bowl

These five Denver Broncos players should make the Pro Bowl this season.

Fan voting for the 2025 Pro Bowl opened on Monday and the Denver Broncos have five players who deserve to make the All-Star game.

Here’s a quick list of the Broncos players who should receive an invite to Florida following the regular season.

1. CB Pat Surtain: PS2 has allowed just 142 passing yards this season, fewest in the NFL among qualified cornerbacks. Add in three interceptions (including a 100-yard pick-six) and Surtain should be a lock.

2. G Quinn Meinerz: He delivers pancake blocks seemingly every week. Meinerz is overdue for his first career Pro Bowl nod.

3. DL Zach Allen: He’s currently sidelined with a heel injury, but Allen still leads defensive linemen with 52 pressures this season. Allen has dominated this fall, totaling 21 quarterback hits, 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and five sacks through 11 games.

4. OLB Nik Bonitto: The first Broncos to record double-digit sacks since 2018, Bonitto is in contention to lead the NFL in sacks this season.

5. WR Courtland Sutton: His 744 receiving yards rank in the top four in the AFC, as do his five receiving touchdowns. Sutton has been a reliable WR1 for rising rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

Honorable mentions: CB Riley Moss, K Wil Lutz, OLB Jonathon Cooper, CB Ja’Quan McMillian, DB Brandon Jones, LT Garett Bolles, QB Bo Nix, KR/PR Marvin Mims and ST Tremon Smith.

Fans can vote for the Pro Bowl through Dec. 23. The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Feb. 2.

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