Denver Broncos select LSU DE Sai’vion Jones in the third round
Denver Broncos select LSU DE Sai’vion Jones in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. They traded back into the third round to improve their interior pass rush by selecting an intriguing talent in Sai’vion Jones.
Broncos trade up to No. 101 and take LSU’s Edge Savion Jones.
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) April 26, 2025
LSU defensive end Sai’vion Jones is a 6’6”, 283-pound pass rusher with great size and length, with a 3rd-4th round grade according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. He has him graded as his 19th-best edge rusher in this draft, and now he’ll join Vance Joseph’s attacking defense.
Brugler says Jones needs to continue to develop his overall game and is an ascending talent who has yet to reach his football ceiling.
A two-year starter at LSU, Jones was the field-side defensive end in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s 4-2-5 base scheme, taking snaps both standing up and with his hand on the ground. After showing gradual improvement as an underclassman, he made a significant jump as a senior with 43 pressures in 2024 (combined for 38 pressures his first three seasons).
One of the youngest seniors in the draft class, Jones doesn’t have top-tier cornering speed and makes himself too big of a target at the top of his rush when attempting to win high-side. But he is at his best when relying on his long levers to work through contact and affect the quarterback or working down the line as a run defender (NFL scouts routinely bring up his toughness as a differentiating factor). Overall, Jones needs continued schooling with his hands and pad level, but he plays long, strong and persistent as a downhill force player against both pass and run. He hasn’t yet reached his football ceiling and has the tools to become a solid depth piece on an NFL defensive line.
Defensive linemen Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, and Malcolm Roach are all in the final year of their deals with the Broncos. While Allen is likely getting re-signed, the Broncos need to have some replacements ready to step into a larger role next season. Jones profiles as a developmental guy for defensive line coach Jamar Cain, and I am excited to see what he can do with him.
Overall, I like this pick, and the Broncos get another ascending talent with good size, length, and athleticism who fits their attacking defense. Another solid pick for the Broncos.