When the Denver Broncos selected Texas cornerback Jadhdae Barron with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it set off a ripple effect that could lead to a difficult decision.
Barron will be a starter on defense along with Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss, leaving Ja’Quan McMillian, who has been excellent for the team, as the odd man out. That could lead to the team potentially seeking a trade for him or as Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report suggests, cut before the season starts.
Knox looked at the best player who could still be cut from each team and identified McMillian for the Broncos.
“The Denver Broncos tendered exclusive-rights free agent Ja’Quan McMillian this offseason but could still move off of last year’s nine-game starter.
McMillian has been a fairly solid role player in Denver. However, the Broncos did just use a first-round pick on Jahdae Barron, who could push McMillian out of the slot role. Parting with McMillian could save just over $1 million in cap space”, wrote Knox.
If the Broncos can find a trade partner, that would be the way to go. Since McMillian was undrafted, the team would be getting a net win to get anything for him, but they shouldn’t cut him just because he’s out of the starting lineup. The team still has talented players such as Kris Abrams-Draine and Damarri Mathis on the roster, but McMillian would still be a very valuable reserve who can come in key situations or serve in a starting role should one of the starters go down with injury, such as Moss did last season.
Moss missed three games last season and the Broncos had their issues there, having to turn to Levi Wallace, who struggled mightily, and that’s putting it nicely.
If, for example, Moss went down with an injury this season, Barron is completely capable of playing on the outside and McMillian could then slide into his familiar slot corner role.
There is no doubt that McMillian’s role will change this season, but the Broncos shouldn’t cut him just because he’s out of the starting lineup. He’d be valuable as a backup and should only be off the team if a trade can be negotiated.
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