The Broncos have made some massive shifts to their defensive unit the last few weeks, prioritizing playing younger players who could be a part of their plans moving forward. Amongst these moves have been promoting 2022 UDFA corner Ja'Quan McMillian to a starting role, corner Fabian
Moreau, and safety PJ Locke to starting roles, all of whom have made an immediate impact in the secondary.
The Broncos secondary had struggled to start the year, considering the horrid play of Damarri Mathis, and the constant penalties that led to the suspension of Kareem Jackson. The trio of promoted defensive backs have made an immediate impact on the Broncos, and being an important cog in their two most recent wins, potentially saving their season.
CB Ja'Quan McMillian
Of the three on this list, McMillian has the best chance to fit long-term into the Broncos' plans. McMillian is in his second year out of Eastern Carolina and has slotted into his first starting role in the NFL nicely. McMillian saw his role expand in week seven against the Packers, marking his first game with a starting role in the NFL. McMillian is in his second year out of East Carolina and was a UDFA signing by George Paton. McMillian only got into one game his rookie year, but his role grew with the injury to K'Waun Williams before the season began.
In the time he has been given, McMillian has made a strong impression. In his last two games, both against the Chiefs (he missed the Packers game), McMillian has totaled 13 tackles, fives tackles for a loss, and one interception of Patrick Mahomes. McMillian fits into the nickel spot the Broncos have missed this year with the injury to Williams, and has done so swimmingly against one of the best offensive braintrusts the NFL has ever seen. McMillian is only 23, and figures to be a fixture into the future plans of the Broncos, so long as he continues to play at this level.
CB Fabian Moreau
Fabian Moreau, unlike McMillian, is a journeyman defensive back on his fourth NFL team in four years. Moreau signed with the Broncos this spring after spending 2022 with the New York Giants as a depth corner. Moreau, along with Pat Surtain, played 100 percent of the Broncos' defensive snaps on Sunday, in what was his first start as a Bronco. Moreau lined up across from Surtain as the number two corner for the Broncos, with McMillian in the slot. Promptly, the trio turned in the most impressive effort from the Broncos' corner group this year.
Moreau, 29, is a former third-round pick by the Commanders in 2017. He is only signed for one year in Denver, but his recent play could prompt Sean Payton and George Paton to keep the corner in Denver longer. Moreau is playing some of the stronger football of his career in Denver, tallying a pass deflection in each of his first two starts, while also wrapping up nine tackles in his two starts.
His role is diminished compared to his season last year in New York, in which he started 11 of the 14 games he played in, but Moreau could be on the rebound in Denver. If this play keeps up, he could be back for more with Vance Joseph.
S PJ Locke
PJ Locke has made some big plays for the Broncos before, but perhaps none bigger than his game-sealing interception against Jordan Love and the Packers in Denver's week seven victory. Locke, who came in for the ejected Kareem Jackson, intercepted Love late in the fourth quarter in week seven, locking up Denver's victory in week seven. After that game, Jackson was suspended four games by the NFL for illegal hits, making Locke the new starter alongside Justin Simmons. Naturally, Locke turned in a solid game for Vance Joseph in his first start of the year.
Locke played all 61 of Denver's defensive snaps on Sunday, tallying three total tackles. His impact, however, was felt in coverage in the big moments. When it mattered the most, Locke put in strong coverage on Skyy Moore late in Denver's week eight game against Kansas City, disrupting what would have been a momentum-turning touchdown catch by Moore.
Locke followed Moore closely and then got involved on the live ball, with the ball eventually hitting off Moore's inside shoulder and falling to the ground. Locke figures to start again in Week 10 in Buffalo and should get tons of action considering Josh Allen's desire to air out the ball downfield. If Locke turns in another strong game in week 10, he could remain the starter in Denver even after Kareem Jackson returns.