The Denver Broncos used their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on the cornerback position, selecting Jahdae Barron out of Texas, last year's Jim Thorpe Award winner. But the team added only two other cornerbacks this offseason, both undrafted free agents.
One of those was Joshua Pickett, who now joins a deep secondary looking to contribute as a rookie.
Name: Joshua Pickett
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 188 pounds
Position: Cornerback
School: Duke
Born in Demorest, Georgia, Pickett came to play for Duke after high school and became a starting cornerback for the Blue Devils, playing in 50 career games for the team. He recorded 101 total tackles and two interceptions during his career there before graduating with a degree in Public Policy.
Following the draft, Pickett agreed to a contract with the Broncos and will look to earn a spot on the back end of the roster. But that won't be easy.
Chances of making final 53-man roster (1-10 scale): 2
Three players are virtual locks to make the team at cornerback. Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss and Barron. Second-year player Kris Abrams-Draine will almost certainly be part of the roster as well. But that could still leave a couple of spots available and depending on what the Broncos do with two players, it could open a spot for Pickett.
Ja'Quan McMillian will be the subject of trade rumors all summer due to the addition of Barron, which will move McMillian to a backup role. Damarri Mathis is a player the team could easily move on from if he shows the same propensity to errors that have plagued his early career thus far.
The other cornerbacks on the roster are Quinton Newsome, Reese Taylor, Tanner McCalister and fellow UDFA Jaden Robinson. Though Pickett is a long shot to make the team, there is certainly a light at the end of that tunnel.
Pickett was lauded for his leadership at Duke and his consistent level of play. He will be given a chance to compete in Denver and a strong summer, particularly on the special teams side of things, could buy him a trip to stay on the 53-man roster or at the very least, a spot on the practice squad.
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