SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In April, the Broncos took the secondary’s version of Sean Payton’s prized Joker, nabbing a cornerback in Jahdae Barron whose versatility inside and out unlocked a treasure trove of possibilities for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
His incumbent in the slot, though, made a statement of his own in the Bay Area.
When Denver’s defense went to a nickel package on the 49ers’ first drive of Saturday night’s preseason game, it was Ja’Quan McMillian — not the first-round rookie Barron — who took Joseph’s first snaps in the slot. It’s the preseason, yes. But it’s also a notable show of faith in McMillian, who’s rounded into an asset at nickel across his three seasons in Denver.
That first snap prompted a groan, as McMillian was burned on a 50-yard bomb from 49ers backup QB Mac Jones to receiver Jordan Watkins early in the first quarter. Exactly 11 minutes of clock later, though, Joseph trotted McMillian and Barron out at outside corner in an interesting base alignment with Denver’s No. 2 defense. And McMillian came up with a bit of vengeance and the early play of the night for Denver, jumping an outside route to Watkins and diving for an interception.
McMillian played just 65 snaps at outside corner in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus. But if he can continue displaying an ability to win outside reps, that nickel battle with Barron might not matter. The Broncos would suddenly be outfitted with four versatile corners in Barron, McMillian, Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss.
“I’ve learned the defense,” McMillian told reporters in early August. “I know the ins and outs, pretty much. I know the whole back end, nickel, corner, safety a little bit.”
Bonitto goes berserk: After a disappointing first Denver defensive drive, Watkins’ grab on McMillian leading to a quick score, Nik Bonitto took matters into his own massive hands on San Francisco’s second possession.
On the second play of the drive, Bonitto blew past San Francisco tight end Luke Farrell to sack Jones before he’d even had a chance to survey his progressions. After John Franklin-Myers helped collapse the pocket for a second straight Denver sack, Bonitto roared off the edge again on 3rd-and-17 and spooked Jones so badly he ran backwards nearly 20 yards and flung a ball out of bounds.
It was an impressive preseason follow-up to the 25-year-old Bonitto’s All-Pro campaign in 2024, as he continues to go through contract-extension negotiations with Denver.
Notable absences: Saturday marked a joyful return to Levi’s Stadium for safety Talanoa Hufanga. The former 49ers standout’s brother TJ watched in Broncos gear from the field level. Fellow offseason signee Dre Greenlaw, though, was relegated to street clothes. Denver played it safe with the former San Francisco linebacker after a quad flare-up that head coach Sean Payton called a “scare.”
Greenlaw will be back Monday, Payton said after Thursday’s joint practice with San Francisco. Fellow inside linebacker Alex Singleton, too, was out for Saturday’s game while rehabbing a broken thumb.
Notably, cornerback Reese Taylor and tight end Nate Adkins, both of whom are fighting for a spot on Denver’s 53-man roster, weren’t seen dressed and on the sideline Saturday. Both were seen at Thursday’s joint practice with San Francisco.