ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Heading into the NFL draft, the consensus was that the Denver Broncos would bolster their offense early on, specifically by targeting a running back or a tight end. However, head coach Sean Payton had made it clear that his primary concern was not necessarily adding an immediate offensive weapon for young quarterback Bo Nix.
“Let’s not bypass a crystal for a blender if we need a blender,” Payton emphasized ahead of the draft. He further elaborated, “There are two great allies to help quarterback play: a really good defense and obviously a really good running game.”
In light of this mindset, Payton and general manager George Paton were elated when Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron was still available at the 20th overall pick. Barron, who was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award, is widely recognized for his defensive prowess, notably outshining Colorado’s Travis Hunter for the title of the nation’s top defensive back. Barron’s versatility allows him to seamlessly transition between roles such as cornerback, safety, nickelback, and dime linebacker.
“Barron was a player we couldn’t stop watching in preparation,” Paton revealed. “His instincts are remarkable; he stays with his man and concedes very few completions. We couldn’t find a single touchdown scored against him.” Barron is noted for his strong tackling and blitzing capabilities, and he exhibits football intelligence that endows him with a unique versatility.
When queried about Barron’s initial placement on the roster, Payton refrained from committing to a specific position, highlighting Barron’s multifaceted capabilities as a reason they weren’t wanting to limit him to a single spot.
Versatility continued to be a key theme for the Broncos throughout their draft selections. Following their acquisition of Barron, the Broncos sought to resolve their eight-year playoff drought — one that persisted even as Bo Nix threw 29 touchdown passes as a rookie absent of a strong running game and reliable tight end.
Their second-round choice was UCF running back RJ Harvey, followed by Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant and LSU defensive end Sai’vion Jones in the third round. They further bolstered their special teams capabilities in the fourth round with the selection of Alabama edge rusher Que Robinson.
In the latter rounds, the Broncos secured Florida punter Jeremy Crawshaw and Utah tight end Caleb Lohner, the latter of whom transitioned from a basketball career at BYU, Baylor, and Utah to football for the Utes, despite catching a mere four passes last season. Payton sees potential in Lohner reminiscent of past successes like Jimmy Graham.
Even though RJ Harvey wasn’t heavily featured in the passing game during his tenure at UCF, the Broncos view him as a target with promise from the backfield. “Examining his running skills, they were impressive — explosive runs and more,” Payton stated. “His passing game abilities were better showcased on Pro Day than on film, given the offensive scheme he was in.”
With Jones standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 280 pounds, he offers considerable flexibility. “He’ll primarily play end for us,” Paton explained.
Before the draft, the Broncos addressed some major needs in free agency, bringing in safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw from the San Francisco 49ers, as well as securing tight end Evan Engram from Jacksonville.
When asked whether the Broncos had adequately filled their roster needs at tight end and running back, Payton commented, “Coaches always believe there’s room for improvement, but we feel we’ve positioned ourselves well.”
A surprising move came when the Broncos selected Pat Bryant with the 74th overall pick despite other high-profile receivers being available. Payton likened Bryant’s attributes to those of former Saints receiver Michael Thomas, though he cautioned against burdening the rookie with comparisons. “It’s about recognizing traits,” Payton said. “He is explosive off the line and incredibly competitive.”
In a humorous nod to past tendencies, Paton complimented Payton for trading down twice in the second round, joking, “I’d like to congratulate Sean on his first trade back since 2006.”
Payton quipped back about the rare nature of some of his other choices: “A couple of firsts indeed, including finally drafting a player from LSU.”
These latest additions have infused the Broncos roster with promising talent, leaving fans and the organization optimistic about the forthcoming season.