
#29 CB · Denver Broncos
Height
5'10"
Weight
183 lbs
Age
25
College
East Carolina
Draft
Undrafted
Experience
3 yrs
CB Rank
#59 / 288
Grade this player:
| Year | Team | GP | INT | PD | Tkl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | ![]() | 51 | 6 | 24 | 195 |
| 2025 | ![]() | 17 | 2 | 9 | 56 |
| 2024 | ![]() | 17 | 2 | 10 | 81 |
| 2023 | ![]() | 16 |
Length
1 year
Total Value
$5.8M
AAV
$5.8M/yr
Denver struck solid value with Ja'Quan McMillian's one-year, $5.8M deal, earning a B- CVI that reflects smart roster building in today's inflated corner market. At $5.8M AAV, the Broncos are paying above-average starter money for a serviceable starter, which represents fair market value for a player who's proven he can handle meaningful snaps without being a liability. The short-term structure is particularly shrewd — it gives Denver the flexibility to reassess after 2024 while avoiding the long-term risk that comes with committing big money to corners who haven't yet reached elite production levels. McMillian's youth and steady development trajectory suggest there's upside in this deal, as the Broncos could have a bargain on their hands if he takes the next step in his game. This signing reflects Denver's pragmatic approach to building secondary depth without breaking the bank, giving them a reliable option while maintaining cap flexibility for future moves.
Ja'Quan McMillian is a third-year cornerback for the Denver Broncos, carving out a role as a depth contributor with flashes of starting-caliber potential. At just 25, he grades out at a C overall — serviceable but inconsistent — sitting squarely in the middle tier of NFL corners. His youth and three-year developmental arc suggest there's still room for meaningful growth in Sean Payton's defense. McMillian's current-season metrics paint a mixed picture. His 0.53 pass deflections per game edges above the NFL average of 0.49, a modest but genuine strength in coverage disruption. His tackle rate of 3.29 per game also clears the league average of 3.00, showing reliable open-field presence. However, his interception rate of 0.12 per game falls just below the NFL average of 0.13, and his grade has slipped from a B- in 2024 to a C- in 2025 — a concerning regression that warrants attention. McMillian's trajectory is uneven but not alarming for a player still finding his footing. He rebounded from a D+ in 2023 to a B- in 2024, proving he can respond to adversity. The 2025 dip is the key variable to watch — if he stabilizes his ball-hawking instincts and closes the gap toward the elite interception benchmark of 0.21 per game, a return to his 2024 form is realistic. Denver will need him to trend upward, not backward, heading into a pivotal year.
Ja'Quan McMillian enters the 2026 offseason as a depth cornerback of moderate organizational value, with the Denver Broncos electing to retain him via a second-round restricted free-agent tender — a signal of functional roster utility rather than elite standing. His career numbers, including six interceptions and 24 passes defended across three seasons, reflect a competent but unspectacular contributor who has yet to distinguish himself as a true starter-caliber player at the NFL level. The emergence of trade buzz ahead of the draft introduces an element of ambiguity around his long-term fit in Denver, though the tone of coverage remains transactional rather than critical, suggesting the market views him as a tradeable asset rather than a liability. At his current contract value, McMillian occupies a familiar middle ground for young corners — valued enough to tender, not yet impactful enough to command a significant extension or generate widespread national attention. Heading into 2026, his perception among media and fans is largely neutral, defined more by organizational roster maneuvering than by on-field performance that has captured the broader football conversation.
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Recent seasons are weighted more heavily in the overall performance grade.
C-
2025
(50% weight)
B-
2024
(30% weight)
D+
2023
(20% weight)