Horse tracks: Three players who could make a big leap in year 2

Good morning, Broncos Country!

Training Camp is just 10 days away, and all the excitement for the 2026 season will finally move from speculation on paper to speculation on the field.

And while all eyes will be on how Bo Nix’s ankle is doing, how Jaylen Waddle is fitting into the offense, how the rookies are adjusting and which stars look solid again, there are several second-year players who could go under-the-radar if you’re not paying attention but have the potential for strong sophomore campaigns.

Here are four second-year players I’m most curious about as our July 31 start date inches closer.

WR Pat Bryant

Bryant quietly became a trusted target for Bo Nix during the second half of his rookie season. He isn’t the fastest receiver on the roster, but he was a reliable target. With strong hands and good route discipline, he could quietly become a secret weapon while defenses focus attention on Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton.

If he develops into a consistent red-zone threat, Bryant could easily double last year’s touchdown production.

“He’s a quick study. He gets it real fast,” said head coach Sean Payton earlier this summer. “I think one of his great skill sets is his run after the catch because his feet stay on the ground when he catches it. He’s got strong hands in traffic. He’s having a good stretch here.”

Payton added that there’s a maturity to Bryant already this season, which is exactly what you hope for with the second-year players. They know the ropes, the system and the playbook.

“He’s healthy…he knows exactly what to do and, and there’s a confidence about him, a maturity,” Payton added. “You wouldn’t feel like he was a second-year player if you didn’t know it.”

CB Jahdae Barron

The Broncos first-round draft pick in 2025 was basically a non-entity for the Broncos’ defense last season, but the second-year cornerback seems ready to step up for a big Year Two.

Payton noted that Barron’s early offseason work was looking good and Barron’s film room study was paying off.

“You can tell that he is progressively getting better,” Payton said during OTAs. “His IQ and his fundamentals of the game, it seems like he is wise beyond his years going into his second year. I’m excited for him.”

As a rookie Barron played just a little over 300 defensive snaps. He and his coach hope for a bigger impact from the former Texas cornerback this season.

“I think he’s an instinctual player,” the coach said, “so I think for him it’s just getting the reps and the practice work.”

Barron’s progress in the offseason was noted by All Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain, so that’s always a good sign.

“He’s been studying in the film room. You can tell he’s progressively getting better,” Surtain said last month. “His I.Q. and his fundamentals of the game, it seems like he’s wise beyond his years going into his second year, so, I’m excited for him.”

RB RJ Harvey

There’s been a lot of talk already about the running back room this season with the addition of an intriguing rookie in Jonah Coleman and the return of veteran JK Dobbins. How Harvey plays in year two could have a lot to do with how the Broncos’ rushing attack goes in 2026.

From everything Payton has said, and everything we began to see the second half of his rookie season, suggests Harvey has the skill set to thrive in year two. Not only can he run, he can catch in the backfield, create explosive plays and pass protect.

But perhaps the best indicator of Harvey’s second year potential is how he has spent his offseason — studying fellow running back stars like Christian McCaffrey, Jahmyr Gibbs and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.

“Just watching more film, watching other guys around the league, watching their film … just trying to see things on film that they do, trying to help better my game,” Harvey said. “In Year Two in the system, I feel way more comfortable and it’s only going to get better from where I left off.”

Even with Dobbins considered the starter, the Broncos will want to be careful with the veteran’s load, and the guy poised to take that on will be Harvey. With more consistency than his rookie year, Bryant could easily become Denver’s most dynamic offensive weapon out of the backfield.