Ja'Quan

McMillian

McMillian is a restricted free agent who has quickly turned into one of the team’s top defenders after making the roster as a UDFA in 2022. The Broncos’ decision to tender McMillian means he can negotiate with other teams in free agency, but the Broncos have the right of refusal to match any offer he receives. Should the Broncos match that offer, McMillian would remain with the team, however, if they let him walk, the Broncos would receive a second-round pick as compensation. McMillian has started 16 of the 51 games he’s appeared in for the Broncos, but has played on over 700 defensive snaps each of the last two seasons.

McMillian is a pending restricted free agent come March. Paton added that a team could call the Broncos to make a run for him, but the team would like to keep him. The 25-year-old former UDFA tallied four sacks and two interceptions in the regular season and most notably wrestled away an interception from Brandin Cooks to defeat the Bills in the AFC Divisional Round. McMillian plays a key secondary role for a Broncos defense that led the team to an AFC Championship berth.

McMillan now has the chance to field offers from other teams. The Broncos can then match any offer McMillan receivers to retain him. If he doesn’t get any offers, McMillan will make just over a million dollars in Denver this year. The former UDFA broke out in 2024, logging 10 pass breakups, two interceptions and one pick-six across 17 games. He was credited with a start for nine of those weeks.

McMillian (5’9/175) was a three-year starter in the AAC, posting 127 tackles, 12 interceptions, and 28 pass breakups before forgoing his final two years of eligibility. A Combine snub, McMillian ran 4.49 at ECU’s Pro Day and was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded cover cornerback in 2021. McMillian may profile best in slot in the NFL, where he saw time as a freshman in 2019. McMillian joins a Broncos’ rookie class that includes Pitt CB Demarri Mathis (fourth-round) and Wisconsin’s Faion Hicks (seventh).