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Broncos roster: CB Ja'Quan McMillian (No. 29) fighting for slot role
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- Broncos roster: CB Ja'Quan McMillian (No. 29) fighting for slot role
Broncos Wire 's 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fourth-year cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian, No. 29.
Before the Broncos :McMillian (5-10, 183 pounds) spent his collegiate years at East Carolina , where he played for three seasons (2019-21). In 33 games, McMillian made 127 total tackles (97 solo, 30 assisted, five tackles for loss), 12 interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), 28 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. In 2020 and 2021, McMillian led the American Conference in interceptions (four and five, respectively), and in 2021, led the conference in pass deflections (16).
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Broncos tenure:McMillian was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos in 2022. He spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad until the final game of the year. In the 2022 season finale, McMillian got the start, making seven total tackles (six solo, one assisted). It was enough to impress coaches to keep McMillian on the roster in 2023.
In 2023, McMillian played in 16 games, emerging as the team's slot cornerback. McMillian posted 51 combined tackles (37 solo, 14 assisted, seven tackles for loss), 2.0 sacks, three quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, five pass deflections and two interceptions, mostly in a slot cornerback role.
In 2024, McMillian had a firm grip on the top slot corner role, playing in all 17 games, starting nine of them. McMillian had 81 total tackles (61 solo, 20 assisted, four tackles for loss), 1.0 sacks, two quarterback hits, one forced fumble, 10 pass deflections, two interceptions, including a highlight-reel pick-six against the Cleveland Browns .
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Essentially a lock. Although the Broncos drafted cornerback Jahdae Barron with the 20th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, a reliable player like McMillian is essentially a lock to make the team this summer. Barron might end up eating in McMillian's slot snaps (or Riley Moss might if Barron plays outside), but the 25-year-old McMillian figures to still have a key role in the secondary as a rotational player at worst. McMillian is a capable starter in the slot and an amazing depth option off the bench.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Ja'Quan McMillian fighting for slot role
