Rookie Sai’Vion Jones Develops with the Denver Broncos

Rookie Sai’Vion Jones’ development with the Denver Broncos is a study in how a young defensive prospect transforms from college talent to NFL contributor—shaped by coaching, veteran mentorship, and opportunities to learn on the job. Selected by the Broncos in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida, Jones arrived in Denver as a raw but promising edge rusher, known for his speed off the line and ability to disrupt quarterbacks. His rookie season hasn’t been about immediate stardom; instead, it’s been a gradual process of refining his technique, understanding NFL offenses, and finding his role in the Broncos’ defensive scheme. For the Broncos, Jones represents a long-term investment in their pass rush—a unit looking to rebuild after losing key players in free agency. Rookie Sai’Vion Jones Develops with the Denver Broncos thus tracks his growth, showing how patience and targeted development are laying the groundwork for his future success.

Jones’ journey began with a focus on fundamentals during Denver’s 2025 training camp, where coaches prioritized fixing small but critical flaws in his game. At Florida, Jones relied on his natural athleticism (he ran a 4.58-second 40-yard dash at the Combine) to beat offensive tackles, but NFL coaches quickly identified areas for improvement: his hand placement, which often slipped too low when engaging blockers, and his ability to counter when opponents anticipated his speed. Broncos defensive line coach Marcus Dixon worked with Jones daily on “hand-fighting drills”—repetitive exercises where Jones practiced using his arms to shed blockers without losing momentum. “Sai’Vion has all the physical tools, but the NFL is about technique,” Dixon said. “We’re not trying to change who he is—we’re trying to make his strengths more consistent.” By the end of camp, Jones had made noticeable progress: he recorded two sacks in the Broncos’ final preseason game, using a newly refined “swim move” to beat a backup tackle. While he didn’t start the regular season opener, he earned 12 defensive snaps—an early sign that the Broncos saw value in his developing skill set. Rookie Sai’Vion Jones Develops with the Denver Broncos thus frames training camp as the first critical step in his NFL evolution.

A key part of Jones’ development has been his role on special teams, where the Broncos have used him to gain game-day experience while minimizing the pressure of full defensive snaps. Through the first eight weeks of the 2025 season, Jones played 60% of the Broncos’ special teams snaps—primarily on kickoff and punt coverage units—where he’s learned to read plays quickly and use his speed to make tackles. His special teams contributions have already paid off: in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Jones chased down a Raiders returner at the 10-yard line, preventing a potential touchdown and setting up the Broncos’ offense with good field position. “Special teams is where rookies learn how to play fast in the NFL,” said Broncos special teams coordinator Mike Mallory. “Sai’Vion doesn’t just go through the motions—he studies film of returners, learns their tendencies, and shows up ready to make plays.” The reps have also helped Jones adjust to the physicality of the NFL: he’s added 10 pounds of muscle since draft day, making him more durable in contact situations. For Jones, special teams has been a way to prove his work ethic to coaches, even when he’s not playing his natural position. Rookie Sai’Vion Jones Develops with the Denver Broncos thus underscores how special teams has become a proving ground for his growth.

The Denver Broncos have also accelerated Jones’ development by pairing him with veteran defensive end Zach Allen—a 6-year NFL veteran who has taken Jones under his wing as a mentor. Allen, who signed with the Broncos in 2024 after a successful stint with the Arizona Cardinals, meets with Jones weekly to review film, break down opposing offensive lines, and share tips on how to handle the mental side of the NFL. Before the Broncos’ Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Allen spent extra time with Jones studying Chiefs tackle Orlando Brown Jr., pointing out Brown’s tendency to overcommit to speed rushes—a weakness Jones could exploit. “When I was a rookie, I had someone who did this for me, so I wanted to pay it forward,” Allen said. “Sai’Vion listens, asks good questions, and applies what he learns—that’s the mark of a guy who’s going to be good.” The mentorship paid off: Jones recorded his first regular-season sack against the Chiefs, using Allen’s advice to beat Brown with a power move after initially faking speed. The Denver Broncos’ focus on veteran mentorship isn’t an accident; it’s part of their strategy to help rookies adjust faster, knowing that emotional and tactical support can be just as important as physical talent. Rookie Sai’Vion Jones Develops with the Denver Broncos thus shows how Allen’s guidance has been a catalyst for Jones’ on-field breakthroughs.

The Denver Broncos’ defensive scheme has also played a role in Jones’ development, as coordinator Vance Joseph has designed packages that play to Jones’ strengths while limiting his weaknesses. Joseph’s defense uses a mix of 3-4 and 4-3 alignments, and he’s deployed Jones primarily as a “designated pass rusher” in obvious passing situations—allowing Jones to focus on what he does best: getting to the quarterback. In these packages, Jones often lines up on the weak side of the offensive line, where he faces less experienced tackles or tight ends, giving him a better chance to succeed. “We’re not asking Sai’Vion to do everything right away,” Joseph said. “We’re giving him specific roles where he can build confidence, then expanding those roles as he grows.” For example, in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Joseph called a play where Jones lined up as a stand-up linebacker before blitzing off the edge—using his speed to beat the Chargers’ right tackle and force a hurried throw. The Denver Broncos’ willingness to tailor their scheme to Jones’ abilities has kept his development on track, ensuring he doesn’t get overwhelmed by trying to master too much too soon. Rookie Sai’Vion Jones Develops with the Denver Broncos thus highlights how scheme fit has been critical to Jones’ early success.

Looking ahead, the Denver Broncos see Jones as a potential cornerstone of their pass rush, and his development in the second half of the 2025 season will focus on expanding his skill set to handle more responsibility. Coaches plan to work with Jones on run defense—an area where he’s still improving—teaching him how to set the edge and tackle running backs without abandoning his pass-rushing duties. They also want to add more counter moves to his arsenal, so he’s not just relying on speed. Jones, for his part, is embracing the challenge: he arrives at the Broncos’ facility an hour early every day to work on drills, and he’s started studying film of NFL greats like Von Miller (a former Bronco) to learn new techniques. “I don’t want to be just a ‘speed rusher’—I want to be a complete player,” Jones said. “The Broncos have given me a chance to grow, and I’m not going to waste it.” The Denver Broncos’ investment in Jones extends beyond his rookie year; they see him as part of a young defensive core that will compete for championships in the coming years. Rookie Sai’Vion Jones Develops with the Denver Broncos thus concludes by emphasizing that Jones’ development is a long-term project—one that the Broncos believe will pay off for both the player and the franchise for years to come.