When it comes to the Denver Broncos' talented defense, it is a unit laden with big names like pass-rusher Nik Bonitto, defensive lineman Zach Allen, cornerback Pat Surtain and safety Talanoa Hufanga. It may be easy to get lost in the shuffle of the talented secondary.
At least that's what NFL.com editor Gennaro Filice believed when he wrote about one underappreciated player for each AFC team going into 2026. The article he wrote named cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian as the Broncos' most underappreciated player to start the year.
"When Denver spent its 2025 first-round pick on Jahdae Barron, it felt like McMillian’s spot in the lineup was under threat," Filice wrote for NFL.com. "Then McMillian responded with his best professional season yet, inspiring
notable praise from Broncos GM George Paton in February: “He’s one of our core players. We love having him here.” A former undrafted free-agent signee, McMillian signed a second-round RFA tender in March, exhibiting how much his value has increased over four seasons in Denver. As the nickelback in Vance Joseph’s aggressive defense, McMillian is a feisty run defender who also offers ball production (two interceptions in each of the past three seasons) and blitz savvy (four sacks in 2025). Not to mention, the guy boasts an undeniable clutch gene. His OT pick of Josh Allen in January’s Divisional Round might have been controversial, but it set up the Broncos for the win."
At the start of 2026, Surtain, an All-Pro in his own right, complimented McMillian on his work ethic, and his scrappiness as a former undrafted player out of East Carolina.
"His mindset is off the charts," Surtain said in July. "The way that he carries himself on and off the field and his work ethic… There are only a few that quite work like him. Being undrafted and coming in, nobody knew about him. Now, he’s a hot commodity. It goes to show the work that he’s put in and how much he values and hones in on his craft. I’m excited for ‘J-Mac.’ He’s a big-time player, but I’m happy that he is finally getting his spotlight.”
McMillian has already made a huge impact through the first six games of the season for Denver. McMillian has two sacks, 16 total tackles (12 solo, four assisted, two tackles for loss), four pass deflections and an interception which helped seal the Broncos' overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in Week 6.
McMillian is set to become a free agent in 2027, alongside starting outside cornerback Riley Moss. For Denver, it is increasingly looking like they may have to choose between McMillian and Moss as the offseason, salary cap implications and free agency loom overhead far beyond the horizon of the 2026 season.
Who will the Broncos choose? Who the team picks to get a contract may have a huge impact moving forward in 2027 and well into the future.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos cornerback named one of NFL’s most underappreciated players
