The Broncos have fielded considered one of the NFL’s best defenses within the last two years, especially against the pass. Denver allowed just 5.6 yards per attempt in 2024, the second-lowest mark within the league, which dropped to a league-best 4.8 in 2025.
Starting slot cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian has been a key cog of the Broncos’ secondary since he took over the job midway through the 2023 season. Originally a 2022 UDFA out of East Carolina, he spent his rookie yr on the practice squad but was elevated to begin and play every snap in Week 18. After a rough start from Essang Bassey in 2023, McMillian stepped in because the team’s nickel for the remaining of the season and allowed 6.1 yards per goal, the 18th-fewest amongst qualified cornerbacks.
McMillian saw a considerable jump in targets in 2024, but still allowed just 6.8 yards per goal with fewer touchdowns than the yr before. Last season, he staved off first-round pick Jahdae Barron to maintain his job and allowed career-lows of 5.9 yards per goal and a 74.3 passer rating when targeted. He finished the season with the fourth-highest overall and seventh-highest coverage grade of any cornerback (min. 100 snaps), per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
That performance would appear to position McMillian as considered one of the league’s top nickels, a market that’s currently topped by Kyler Gordon at $13.3MM per yr. He should find a way to eclipse the $12MM AAV currently held by Marcus Jones, but he’s unlikely to interrupt into starting outside cornerback money at $15MM per yr or more.
The Broncos have Patrick Surtain locked in as their long-term CB1. Riley Moss has been the starter on the alternative boundary for the last two seasons and allowed a roughly league-average 7.4 yards per goal each times. He’s in the ultimate yr of his rookie contract and will earn more on his next deal than McMillian since he lines up on the skin.
McMillian’s contract situation then becomes somewhat of a matter about how Denver sees Barron. He played nickel for his first two years as a starter at Texas before putting up an elite performance as a full-time boundary corner in 2024. He filled a hybrid role as a rookie with 153 snaps within the slot, 93 outside, 99 within the box. If the Broncos see him as a long-term alternative for Moss, they will likely be more inclined to pay McMillian. But when defensive coordinator Vance Joseph wants to make use of Barron’s skillset within the slot, McMillian will likely be playing for a brand new team next yr.
The Broncos are usually not expected handy out any extensions until much closer to the season, Tomasson notes, giving them time to judge their cornerback room. They used the No. 20 pick on Barron last yr and are unlikely to maintain such a highly-drafted player on the sidelines for a second yr in a row. The team will want to see how Barron matches into their secondary moving forward before making a call on their veteran cornerbacks who’re entering contract years.