Concerns Emerge Over Lack of Snaps for Broncos First Round Pick
owever you may have felt about Denver Broncos rookie cornerback and first round pick Jahdae Barron in the preseason, that’s probably changed now.
That’s because Barron has barely seen the field through the first 4 games of the regular season and the No. 20 overall pick is currently the backup nickelback to
However much the Broncos want to say their plan was to bring Barron along slowly to “teach him the defense” or whatever lip service they might dish up, the truth is if he were ready to contribute more, he’d already be on the field.
The NFL doesn’t even bring quarterbacks along slowly anymore. Why would they do it for a cornerback?
Want more proof? Just look at Philadelphia Eagles cornerback and 2024 first round pick (No. 22 overall) Quinyon Mitchell. As a rookie, he started every regular season game but one — a meaningless regular season finale — plus 4 playoff games on the way to winning a Super Bowl.
The point is, if the Broncos thought Barron could help their defense, he’d be playing.
“Barron has played just 74 snaps in four games, but he did show signs of improvement in coverage Monday night against Cincinnati,”
Generally doing what is asked of him, in this case, mostly means not being in the starting lineup.
Predictions for Barron Were Sky High
No player on the Broncos‘ already-vaunted defense had more hype in the preseason than Barron, who won the Jim Thorpe Award at Texas in 2024.
“Whether it’s on the perimeter opposite Pat Surtain II or inside at nickel, expect to see Barron in the Broncos’ starting lineup,” Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder r wrote on July 9. “While last year’s starters Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian return, both left the door open for someone to take their jobs with their play last year. Ultimately, the Texas product’s talent and versatile skill set are too good for Denver to keep him off the field.”
Barron did have a nice moment in the season opener, with a game-clinching fumble recovery against the Tennessee Titans.
“Like a lot of people I’m disappointed Jahdae Barron is barely able to get on the field,”
Broncos Rookie Class Struggling to Find Roles
The Broncos made the playoffs in 2024 thanks in large part to the contributions of multiple rookies.
While that group was led by quarterback and first round pick Bo Nix, wide receivers DeVaughn Vele and Troy Franklin also had their moments, as did defensive lineman Jonah Elliss.
The 2025 draft class has yet to show any signs they might do the same. Rookie wide receiver and third round pick Pat Bryant has been a non-factor. Even the rookie with the biggest role, running back and second round pick RJ Harvey, finds himself in a complementary role to starter J.K. Dobbins.
Steelers Not Ready to Trust Roman Wilson
In theory, Calvin Austin III's shoulder injury should free up more reps for second-year Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson. In actuality, however, the team's veteran depth options may get more looks for the time being.
While appearing on 93.7 The Fan, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo stated that while he expects Wilson to earn some opportunities to prove himself amidst Austin's pending absence, Pittsburgh still isn't entirely sure how to deploy him and thus may depend more heavily on Ben Skowronek and Scotty Miller.
"I think Roman's gonna get a shot, but I still think they're learning about him and what his game is and how he can help the football team," Fittipaldo said, per
"It's gonna be by committee, but I have a feeling it's gonna be more Skowronek and Miller than Wilson."
Following a lost rookie campaign in which he logged just five snaps after being taken in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Wilson bounced back with a strong showing this past preseason that saw him finish with four receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Though Wilson (44) has outsnapped both Skowronek and Miller (35 each) on offense so far this year, the former has recorded just a single catch for seven yards.
It's clear Wilson has talent and may eventually contribute in a meaningful manner for the Steelers, but there's still some reservations about his readiness at the current moment.
The 24-year-old played in the slot at the end of his collegiate career at Michigan and thus would seem to profile as a natural replacement for Austin, but it was Miller and Skowronek who filled in there once he sustained his injury against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4 rather than Wilson.
It's possible that the Steelers may elevate Isaiah Hodgins from their practice squad or even look for outside help while Austin is on the mend, which in turn would lessen Wilson's chances of making an impact even further.
Though there was some hype surrounding him coming into the season, Wilson has yet to truly ingratiate himself within Pittsburgh's offense.
