Renck: If you want to be a ghost for Halloween, all you have to do is be a member of the Broncos’ 2025 draft class. Too harsh? Maybe. But the lack of impact from top picks Jahdae Barron and RJ Harvey cannot be ignored in Denver’s alarming start. The Broncos can argue they are a few plays away from owning an undefeated record. Weren’t those supposed to be made by Barron and Harvey? Three weeks in, the unnerving question hangs over the franchise: Is it too early to declare the early picks a bust, at least for this season?
Keeler: I’m Surtain it’s too early to toss four-letter words such as “bust” around. I’m not Surtain it’s too early to worry. That’s because Pat Surtain II, the gold standard for recent Broncos rookies, had already played on 122 snaps over his initial three games as an NFL greenhorn in 2021. Barron, per Pro-Football-Reference.com, has logged just 53 snaps so far. Former Broncos “franchise” back Javonte Williams, also a rookie in ’21, had appeared on 88 offensive snaps through his first three games. Harvey’s played just 56. Context is relative, granted. Almost all of the ’25 rookie class are depth pieces, not critical ones. This roster is better than the one Uncle Vic had four years ago. The Broncos are deeper. But are they that much deeper?
Renck: Youth demands patience. The Broncos revived their franchise in 2024 with kids like Bo Nix and Jonah Elliss. And receiver Troy Franklin has demonstrated this season that while growth is not always on the preferred timeline, it can still happen. The difference is Denver’s expectations. The Broncos reframed their goals this summer to include Super Bowl talk. Such ambition required a boost from Barron and Harvey. Barron represented a luxury pick for a team that desperately needed help at tight end and explosiveness at receiver. He has played 53 of 214 snaps (24.7%), and made five tackles with one fumble recovery. Harvey has logged 53 of 186 plays (27.9%) with 80 yards rushing and 29 receiving. It is too early to draw a conclusion, but the early returns have been disappointing.
Keeler: Time, as Mick Jagger once sang, is on their side. Yes it is. As a rookie cornerback in Detroit last year, Terrion Arnold was picked on early and often. The former Alabama star, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com, was targeted eight or more times on three occasions over his opening nine appearances with the Lions and gave up a touchdown three times in those nine contests. Over his final seven games, Arnold saw eight or more targets just once and gave up only one score to close out the regular season. These things aren’t always linear. Or fair.
Renck: The defense operates independently of Barron’s growth. There is reason to believe he will be a steady contributor in the second half, and he must to justify where he went in the draft. Harvey is a bigger issue. The offense cannot stay on the field, posting seven three-and-outs in the loss to the Chargers. Harvey has not been a factor the past two weeks, still finding his way in the outside zone run scheme. Of course, there is time. However, the Broncos need him to pop soon, because 10 rushing yards on seven attempts the last two weeks won’t cut it for anyone, let alone a second-round pick.
Keeler: Five NFL rookie backs have more rushing yards than Harvey as of Monday morning, including two Broncos Country mock draft favorites — the Chargers’ Omarion Hampton (142 yards) and the Giants’ Cam Skattebo (102). When it comes to young runners and tire tread, the clock’s ticking. Especially if they don’t hit the ground, well, running.
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Originally Published: September 22, 2025 at 12:32 PM MDT