Jahdae Barron grabs a smart, versatile rookie narrative in Denver, sliding into Week 1 as the top outside and slot backup with safety-fill potential. Veterans praise his play‑study and instinct, hinting at rapid elevation if he continues handling Vance Joseph’s complex scheme. Barron’s path includes rotational outside work behind Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss, with occasional nickel duties and safety looks that could unlock early-season snap gains.

Fantasy-wise, Barron offers a multi-role floor with upside in sub-packages and matchup-driven play. Monitor Week 1 usage and Titans’ passing attack to gauge immediate opportunity; but his intelligence, routine, and ball-tracking hints suggest a growing role that could become a sneaky depth option in deeper leagues or dynasty rosters as the season unfolds.

Denver capped camp with another undrafted rookie on the initial roster: Karene Reid from Utah, a move that continues the Broncos’ long UDFA tradition. Reid posted eight tackles, a TFL, a QB hit, an INT and a fumble in the preseason, edging Levelle Bailey for the final ILB spot and signaling deeper defensive depth for 2025. Bailey ended up on the practice squad, keeping him in Denver’s orbit and preserving a potential active-roster path. Payton highlighted a six-team chase for Reid and Bailey, underscoring the program’s post-draft recruitment strategy.

Denver’s top-30 visit approach and in-spring outreach are framed as a practical, data-driven method to identify draftable traits in players who slip through the cracks. The preseason finale against New Orleans helped the staff evaluate practice-squad potential, not just active-roster needs, laying groundwork for a deeper roster and a robust pipeline of development-friendly options behind veterans in the middle of the defense.