Sean Payton pleased with 'extremely smart' CB Ja’Quan McMillian

The Denver Broncos ask a lot out of their slot cornerbacks.

“They have to be smart,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said last month. “They end up playing the role somewhat of a linebacker so they have to be good in their run fits. They have to be, generally speaking, someone we feel like can be a pressure player. I’d say the other thing is their short area quickness has to be an asset. Those would be couple that stand out: smart, quick, pressure player, good tackler.”

Ja’Quan McMillian fits the bill.

Last season, McMillian totaled 51 tackles, five pass breakups, two interceptions, two sacks and two fumble recoveries playing in the slot. He’s exactly what Denver’s staff looks for at the position.

“He is extremely smart,” Payton said during training camo. “He caught us on a pressure today, disguised it well. We saw that a year ago. I kind of felt like he’s one of those players that kind of took a step into his own last year, created a lot of turnovers. He has really good football instincts and I think that is a trait that’s very important because there are a lot of adjustments that take place for that player when the motion goes or leaves.

“His fits in the run game are different than maybe the corners or even the safeties sometimes. So you’re looking for someone who has high football I.Q. and good COD [change of direction], someone that can tackle, and of course you’re going to play man-to-man, so how does he hold up when he’s covering up in the slot? [He handles] all of those things.”

McMillian joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of East Carolina in 2022. He emerged as a key member of Denver’s secondary last season and McMillian figures to remain an important part of the defense this fall.