Ja’Quan McMillian has been absolutely instrumental in turning the Denver Broncos defense around these past several seasons, and you gotta give it up for the guy. While the starting outside corners, Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss, snag most of the headlines, McMillian, their nickelback, is quietly putting together an incredible run that’s been a total game-changer for the franchise. This isn’t some overnight success story, either. His journey to becoming a defensive mainstay is pretty wild.
From Practice Squad to Playmaking Mainstay
McMillian’s path to being a key player wasn’t easy. He went undrafted out of East Carolina, which is a tough pill to swallow for any player with NFL dreams. The Broncos still signed him after the 2022 NFL Draft, and he actually impressed everyone in training camp as a rookie. But even with that strong showing, he didn’t make the final 53-man roster. He ended up on the practice squad, grinding away, until he got his shot in the team’s final game of that 2022 season against the Los Angeles Chargers. He didn’t just get a few snaps, either. McMillian played every single snap of that game, proving he belonged. Now, as a fifth-year pro, he’s a consistent, high-performing fixture on that Broncos defense. What a comeback story, right?
The Ball Finds Him, And So Does the End Zone
His ability to create turnovers is truly what makes McMillian such a force. We’re talking about a guy who just knows how to get his hands on the ball. Head Coach Sean Payton even raved about it recently, saying, “I see someone who’s really good at taking the ball away, I see football I.Q. Then someone who’s playing with good leverage.” Payton thinks other players could learn a ton by studying McMillian’s knack for turnovers. And the numbers don’t lie. Over the past three seasons, he’s snagged six interceptions in the regular season, taking two of them all the way back for touchdowns. Plus, he’s forced five fumbles and recovered two, showing off that pure hustle.
Remember that AFC Divisional Playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills? Yeah, McMillian’s impressive interception off Josh Allen in that game was an absolute momentum swing. The Broncos likely don’t win without that clutch play. He seems to have this magnetic connection to the football, and when asked about it, McMillian said, “I think it’s both. The more you work on it, taking the ball away, we do turnover drills, that helps. I think a lot of it is something that’s just in the player. I’ve been doing it my whole career at every level. The ball just finds me, and I just do my job. I just happen to be in the right spot.” It’s a combination of instinct and learned skill, and it’s working big time. Quarterbacks might not target him as much as other corners, but when they do, good luck. Since the 2023 season, he’s held opposing QBs to a staunch 52-percent completion percentage when the ball comes his way. That’s seriously impressive stuff.
With his high level of play and consistent turnover production, McMillian is set to continue being a crucial part of the Broncos’ defense. Watching him attack the ball on Sundays is always a highlight, and you know he’s gonna be looking for more game-changing plays next time out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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