Broncos Land Steal in Sai’vion Jones as Sean Payton Embraces Draft Discipline
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton took a different route in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it may pay off in a big way. With the No. 101 overall pick, Denver selected Sai’vion Jones, a powerful and versatile defensive lineman from LSU—a move that could shake up the team’s defensive plans and veteran roster decisions.
The 6-foot-5, 283-pound Jones is a dynamic presence who can line up both inside and out, giving Denver a much-needed boost along the defensive front.
“Jones may be the player with the best chance to dramatically outplay his draft slot,” wrote Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. “He had a breakout 2024 campaign with 43 pressures, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He’s just 21 years old and still rising as a pass rusher.”
Kosmider even named Jones as the Broncos’ best value pick of the 2025 draft.
A Familiar Face Helps the Transition
Jones is no stranger to Denver’s coaching staff—defensive line coach Jamar Cain coached him at LSU in 2022. The connection isn’t just symbolic; it’s a major confidence booster for the rookie.
“It’s great,” Jones said, per Broncos Wire’s Jon Heath. “I’m glad he’s there—not because I thought he’d pick me—but because he already knows what kind of player I am. He knows I’ll give 100 percent and do whatever they ask me to do.”
Scouting Breakdown: Still Room to Grow
While some draft analysts, like The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, had Jones ranked outside the top 100 (as EDGE19), there’s wide recognition that his physical traits and SEC experience give him serious upside.
“Jones doesn’t have elite cornering speed,” Brugler wrote, “but he’s at his best using his long frame to work through contact. NFL scouts routinely mention his toughness. He needs refinement in hand usage and pad level, but his potential is clear.”
Sean Payton’s Draft Strategy Signals Change
The Broncos were heavily rumored to be trade-up candidates heading into the draft, with links to players like Ashton Jeanty, Colston Loveland, and T.J. Warren. But instead, they stood firm in Round 1 and traded back twice in Round 2—a strategy that eventually landed them Jones via a pick acquired from Philadelphia.
“Trading down probably shows some level of growth with Payton,” an anonymous NFL executive told The Athletic’s Mike Sando, “and it might reflect lessons learned from his time in New Orleans, like the aggressive trade-up for Marcus Davenport.”
This more calculated approach may also reflect influence from GM George Paton, whose background with the Minnesota Vikings emphasized patience over risk.
Veterans on Notice: Jones Could Impact Future Contracts
With Sai’vion Jones now in the mix, the futures of veterans Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers may be up in the air. Both are in the final years of their contracts.
Allen, 27, is coming off a career year—61 tackles, 15 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, and even a safety, earning him second-team All-Pro honors. Franklin-Myers, 28, also posted career highs with 40 tackles and 7 sacks.
If Jones adapts quickly under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, the Broncos could opt to shift resources away from expensive extensions and focus on their promising rookie.
