Every summer, we see a handful of players have breakout performances during training camp and the preseason and turn that into having a breakout performance during the season. Well, this year is no different, as the Broncos have several players who could have breakout performances during training camp that could elevate them up the depth chart and potentially have a larger role on the team during the season.
I have identified a total of eight players who I believe have the best chances of having a breakout
performance during training camp. The list is heavy on young players, but training camp is where these young players build confidence, show their development, and take that next step and become future stars of the team.
So, with all that said, here are the eight Broncos players who I believe have the best chances of having a breakout performance during training camp and the preseason.
CB Jahdae Barron
The Broncos’ 2025 first-round pick took a back seat in his rookie year as Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian played well and held down their starting roles. However, in year two, Barron has an opportunity to push Moss or McMillian (likely Moss more than J-Mac) for their starting job this summer. As we know, both players are in the final years of their contract, so this is a big summer for all three players.
Earlier this offseason, Head Coach Sean Payton was asked about the vision for Barron entering year two, and he mentioned that he has inside/out positional flex and that Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph will have packages to get him on the field. He added that Barron is out there competing and doing well.
“I think there will be two things. ‘A’, he has position flex inside-out. Then there will be packages I’m sure where in throwing situations, [Defensive Coordinator] Vance [Joseph] and those guys will look at what we’re wanting to do with our people, but he’s out here competing and doing good.”
Barron had flashes during his rookie year, but will need to take a big step if he wants to push Moss or McMillian for their jobs. If he does, the Broncos will have to decide if they want to trade from their depth (likely the player they don’t plan on re-signing) or move forward with a deep cornerback room.
Barron’s development and who gets that contract will be one of the larger talking points throughout camp, the preseason, and potentially into the regular season and offseason.
RB Jonah Coleman
The Broncos selected Jonah Coleman in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he has a chance to be a high-impact player for the team during his rookie season.
With veteran running back JK Dobbins being re-signed, he is expected to be the team’s lead ball carrier. However, his injury history tells you that he is likely going to miss some time, so the addition of Coleman adds some much-needed depth and talent to that running back room. A strong performance during camp and the preseason could force the coaches to give Coleman some carries early on in the season to keep Dobbins fresh for the long haul. They also have second-year running back RJ Harvey in the mix as well. So, the Broncos could feature a three-headed monster at the running back position.
As for Coleman, he is a patient but powerful runner who can be a three-down back. His pass blocking is a strength and is something that could get him on the field right away in his rookie season.
I am a big fan of Coleman and think he will be a solid contributor for this team this season and someone we are talking about throughout camp and the preseason.
WR Pat Bryant
The battle for the Broncos WR3 job is expected to be the story of camp, and I believe Pat Bryant will be the guy creating the headlines.
Bryant looked like the Broncos’ best and most consistent receiver at times during his rookie season and saw his role grow as the season progressed. Unfortunately, injuries derailed all that late in the season, but I think he will carry that momentum into year two and continue to grow and develop as a player.
Bryant has good hands, runs good routes, gets open, blocks in the run game, and started to show real chemistry with quarterback Bo Nix. I think we’ll see him have a big second-year jump and solidify himself as the Broncos WR3 behind Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton.
With that said, keep an eye on Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims. Franklin was the story of camp last year and had a breakout year for the team last season. As for Mims, he is playing for a contract, and we have seen contract-year breakout performances before, so I wouldn’t rule out Mims having a breakout summer as a receiver as well.
It’s a talented and deep wide receiver room, so the competition figures to be fun to watch throughout camp and the preseason.
EDGE’s Que Robinson/Jonah Elliss
I lumped these two together due to the uncertainty surrounding veteran Jonathon Cooper and his off-the-field legal drama. His future with the team is up in the air as of this writing, and he is likely facing some sort of suspension from the league as well. So, with Cooper likely being away from the team for at least a bit, the Broncos’ young depth at edge rusher will have an opportunity to step up.
Jonah Elliss is entering his third season with the Broncos and will likely be getting first-team reps opposite Nik Bonitto once camp opens. He has been a talented reserve who came off the bench when the starters needed some rest, but will have an opportunity to nail down a starting job in Vance Joseph’s defense. Has been unblockable during the Broncos’ spring practices and is known for his deadly spin move, so we could see more of that from Elliss once camp opens.
As for Que Robinson, I am a big fan. I loved what we saw from him in limited action during his rookie year, and I believe he is primed for a big second season with the Broncos. He has the size, length, athleticism, speed, and bend you are looking for in an edge rusher, and I believe he has 10+ sack potential in this league.
Robinson also impressed the Broncos coaches last year. Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph told reporters he believed Robinson looked like a future starter when he played last season. Well, he now has an opportunity to become a starter for the Broncos.
The Broncos’ pass rush will be very important to their success this season, so the growth and development of Elliss and Robinson will be something to keep an eye on throughout camp and the preseason.
IDL’s Sai’vion Jones/Tyler Onyedim
With John Franklin-Myers signing with the Titans during free agency, the Broncos will need someone to step up and replace those pass-rush reps. Before the draft, it seemed like second-year Sai’vion Jones would be that guy, but with their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, they selected defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim. Now, these two are expected to be competing for those interior pass rush snaps left behind by JFM.
After the Broncos selected Onyedim, Head Coach Sean Payton was asked if they believe Onyedim could replace JFM in the Broncos’ defense. Payton told reporters, “Yes, absolutely,” and mentioned that their year one vision for him was positive.
“Definitely when we’re taking a player in that spot, we discuss vision all the time. Yes, absolutely. They’re going to come in [and] earn their place. We go through this all the time. After the read, Broncos’ vision Year 1. It was positive, not only with the scouts, but with the coaches as well.”
It would be a surprise if a third-round rookie defensive lineman were able to step in right away and replace JFM’s role, but they seem to have a lot of faith in him. The reports from the spring practices were positive, so we’ll see if he will carry that momentum into training camp and, more importantly, when the pads come on.
As for Sai’vion Jones, he has all the traits you look for, but is coming off a mostly redshirted rookie season. He has a year of development under his belt and seems primed for a second-year breakout. All-Pro defensive lineman Zach Allen told reporters that Jones looked great in practice last season and was simply held back by their depth.
When Jones was drafted last year, he seemed like the future JFM replacement, and now that JFM is a Titan a year later, it is time for Jones to step up and take that role.
Like with replacing Jonathon Cooper, the Broncos NEED to replace John Franklin-Myers. Both were key members of their defense that led the NFL in sacks in back-to-back seasons and will need their young players to step up and replace them. I have faith in both players, and I am excited and anxious to see how they do throughout camp and the preseason.
TE Justin Joly
Last season, we saw Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. have a breakout season, and I believe Broncos rookie tight end Justin Joly can do the same this season.
Joly, who many considered a potential Day 2 selection, fell into the 5th round, where the Broncos selected him. He’s a slightly undersized tight end, but has plus athleticism and projects as a pass-catching tight end for the Broncos. I think he is a breakout candidate simply because the Broncos’ tight end room is not great.
Veteran Adam Trautman is your starting in-line tight end while veteran Evan Engram is your pass-catching specialist. Neither of those players had a great 2025 as a pass catcher, so Joly has a chance here to push for a bigger role in the offense.
I think he has the potential to be a red-zone monster for the Broncos and could thrive against the second- and third-team defenses throughout camp, hopefully shining during the preseason. I was a fan of his during the pre-draft process, and I am excited to see what he can do during his first training camp and preseason with the Broncos.
