Jahdae Barron is predicted to win Rookie of the Year on defense by ESPN’s experts. In fact, two different analysts picked him to win.
Meanwhile, Denver Broncos second-round pick RJ Harvey was also picked by one expert to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Those are some high expectations, but both picks are needed to provide instant impact in 2025.
Jahdae Barron is predicted to win Rookie of the Year, but where will he play?
Many NFL Draft analysts have Barron playing outside, opposite of Pat Surtain, but he may be better suited in the slot.
Barron was just outside the top-10 on many analysts’ big boards. That’s why he was one of the biggest steals of the first round when Denver took him at No. 20 overall.
But, since the Broncos are so deep at cornerback, it’s a little difficult to know for sure where he’ll play; inside or outside.
Matt Miller is one who said Jahdae Barron will win Rookie of the Year on ESPN:
Barron has the playmaking skills to rack up the stats needed to win awards. At Texas, he picked off five passes and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back. With Pat Surtain II on the opposite side, Barron should have plenty of offenses testing him early. Expect those opportunities to turn into interceptions.
Meanwhile, Jordan Reid also picked Barron to win DROY, and he also mentions how the rookie can play either position.
Defensive linemen or cornerbacks usually win this award, and I fully expect Barron to have a standout rookie season. Because of his positional flexibility and teams likely shying away from Surtain, Barron will have a lot of opportunities to make plays on the ball. His ball skills will continue to shine at the next level.
A lot depends on if Barron starts opposite of Surtain–ahead of Riley Moss–or in the slot. Considering Moss has been at worst serviceable and at best very good, it seems like Barron slots into the inside with ease.
If he does start outside, he’ll certainly get more opportunity to shine and make a case for the award.
R.J. Harvey for OROY?
Some folks are sky-high on running back R.J. Harvey, with Dan Graziano picking him for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Harvey has super speed, and good hands, leaving many to compare him to Alvin Kamara. That seems to point to people being more excited about a back in Sean Payton’s system than the back himself.
Graziano explained:
Denver couldn’t get anything consistent going in the run game last season, and drafting Harvey in the second round looks like Sean Payton’s attempt to correct that. When Payton has drafted running backs early, he tends to play them quickly. Think Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara, etc. Harvey should get a chance to carry the load for the Broncos.
If Harvey does play at an exceptional level–similar to Bo Nix last year–the Broncos will have a real shot at winning the AFC West.
The downside of Harvey’s speed is his size, at 5’8″ and 208 pounds. That’s brought into question his durability and whether or not he can be a three-down back. It’s more likely the Broncos mix some of the other guys in.
Meanwhile, Omarion Hampton–whom the Broncos could’ve taken at No. 20–had two analysts predict him to win OPOY.
Harvey was a bit of a reach at No. 60 and there were higher-graded players still available. But if Payton loves his makeup, it could be a perfect fit.
My full Denver Broncos draft grades are here, including the big-time reach of wide receiver Pat Bryant.
Field Yates called it his biggest head-scratcher of the draft:
This was a reach relative to my own rankings, as I thought Bryant was a Day 3 pick after posting a 4.61 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. There are traits of Bryant’s game I admire: He’s a strong route runner, has extremely reliable hands and was a clutch performer in college. This pick was just earlier than expected.
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