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By Anne Erickson
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Sai'vion Jones didn't really break out during his rookie season. But, that's starting to change.
The second-year defensive lineman has been one of the more interesting stories to come out of Broncos camp, with teammates and coaches taking notice of the strides he's made since arriving in Denver a year ago.
Jones entered the NFL as the No. 101 overall pick in the 2025 draft after a productive career at LSU, but his first season was mostly a learning experience. He appeared in just three games, playing 33 defensive snaps while recovering one fumble. Most Sundays were spent watching, waiting and preparing for a chance that never really came.
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Now, that opportunity is here. The Broncos have plenty of snaps to replace following Jonathan Franklin-Myers' departure in free agency, and Jones looks ready to compete for a much bigger role. At 6-foot-5 and 289 pounds, he's always had the physical tools. The difference this year is how comfortable he looks putting them to use.
Veteran teammates have praised Jones throughout camp, pointing to both his disruptive presence on the defensive line and the work he's put in away from the spotlight. Those are the kinds of comments that often carry some weight this time of year. Players know when someone has taken a real step forward.
There's also reason to believe Jones is a strong fit in defensive coordinator Vance Joseph's system. His combination of size, athleticism and versatility gives Denver another intriguing piece to work with as the defense continues to evolve.
Of course, training camp praise only goes so far. The real test comes once the regular season begins.
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Still, it's hard to ignore the momentum Jones has built over the last several months. After spending most of his rookie year waiting for a chance, he suddenly looks like a player who could carve out an important role on one of the NFL's better defenses.
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