Tag: George Paton

Broncos confident they can land a ‘really good player’ at No. 12

“We have flexibility, but we do know at 12 — if we stand pat — we are going to get a really good player,” Broncos GM George Paton said.

The 2024 NFL draft is less than a week away and the Denver Broncos are set to pick 12th overall in the first round (barring a trade).

Broncos general manager George Paton said during a pre-draft press conference on Thursday that the team will be flexible on draft night, but they are confident top talent will be on the board if they don’t make a trade.

“[W]e feel good with where we are at,” Paton said. “We have eight picks, and we have the 12th pick in the draft. One thing we know is that we are going to get a really good player at 12. We’ve had teams call to move up, and we’ve had teams call to move back. We have flexibility, but we do know at 12 — if we stand pat — we are going to get a really good player.”

It’s possible that Paton is posturing to make teams below Denver believe they are willing to stay put at No. 12, increasing the price to trade up to that spot. Then again, it’s not unreasonable to suggest a top talent will be available when the Broncos go on the clock, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

As offensive players fly off the board, star defenders like Alabama edge defender Dallas Turner, Crimson Tide cornerback Terrion Arnold, FSU pass rusher Jared Verse, Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and UCLA edge defender Laiatu Latu could fall to No. 12. Even Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy could be an option at that spot.

Denver won’t reveal its plans ahead of the draft, but if the team opts to stand pat at No. 12, there will be plenty of talented options still on the board.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos open to trading up (or down) in the NFL draft

“If there’s a player that can “change the landscape of your organization” like a quarterback, then “you do whatever it takes to get him.”

The 2024 NFL draft is less than a week away and the Denver Broncos are set to select 12th overall in the first round — barring a trade.

During a pre-draft press conference on Thursday, Broncos general manager George Paton confirmed that teams have called Denver about trading down and about moving up.

“We’ve had teams call to move up, and we’ve had teams call to move back,” Paton said. “We have flexibility.”

There’s been much speculation that the Broncos could trade up for a quarterback, but such a move could be costly. Just how much it would cost depends on how high Denver moved up and how many other teams attempt to make the same move.

“The hypothetical relative to what the compensation is a lot of times is driven by who else is interested,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “George, he has talked to all these teams in front of us. Obviously [the compensation] depends on how much further you go up. Also, if there’s someone else doing the same thing. … [Trading up] certainly is a possibility and then it’s how much you can palate.”

Denver is not going to tip its hand before draft day arrives, but neither Payton nor Paton ruled out the possibility of making a big trade for a QB.

“I would just say if it’s a player that you think can change the landscape of your organization moving forward, like quarterback, then you do whatever it takes to get him,” Paton said. “If there’s consensus in the building, a love in the building, you’re aggressive and you try to get him. It doesn’t mean you’re going to get him, but you try.”

Alternatively, if the Broncos are not able to move up and the club does not like the options available at No. 12, Denver could trade down.

“[W]e’re open to everything,” Paton said. “We’re wide open.”

Next week’s draft will be televised on ESPN, ABC and ESPN Deportes. The Broncos hold eight draft picks this year (view them here).

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos comment on Courtland Sutton skipping workout program

“I mean, it’s 100% voluntary,” GM George Paton said of Courtland Sutton skipping workouts. “It’s the first week of the offseason program.”

The Denver Broncos kicked off their voluntary offseason workout program on Monday and one notably absent player was wide receiver Courtland Sutton.

Sutton has just $2 million guaranteed in his contract this season and no guaranteed money in 2025. NFL Network reported earlier this week that the receiver is seeking a new contract.

Speaking at their pre-draft press conference on Thursday, Broncos coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton did not seem concerned about Sutton’s absence.

“The offseason program began on Monday and the turnout was great,” Payton said. “I’d say we are at 98 percent and the two or three individuals who aren’t here, I’ve just talked with all of them.”

When asked specifically about Sutton, Paton downplayed the receiver not reporting.

“I mean, it’s 100 percent voluntary,” Paton said. “It’s the first week of the offseason program. Sean has talked to Courtland; I’ve talked to Courtland. He’s in a good place, and I’ll just leave it at that.”

Payton and Paton were not asked about the possibility of a trade, but if the team does not plan to give Sutton a raise, trading him could be an option. After scoring 10 touchdowns last fall, Sutton is entering his seventh season in the NFL. He will turn 29 years old in October.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Sean Payton finally comments on Russell Wilson’s release

“We felt it was in the best interests of our team,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the team’s decision to release QB Russell Wilson.

The Denver Broncos announced way back on March 4 that they planned to release quarterback Russell Wilson, a move that became official on March 13.

The original announcement came three weeks ago, but it feels like it happened ages ago due to the whirlwind nature of the NFL offseason. Broncos coach Sean Payton did not publicly comment on the release until Monday when he was asked about Wilson at the NFL’s annual league meeting in Orlando.

Payton’s explanation was brief.

“We felt it was in the best interests of our team,” the coach said, via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.

After being cut by Denver, Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth the league minimum ($1.21 million). Payton said it was a good move for the 35-year-old quarterback.

“It’s a good opportunity for Russ,’’ Payton said, via KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. “First off, they’re a playoff team, a team that wanted to make a change at quarterback and certainly he has a chance to be a starter there.”

Broncos general manager George Paton had a much more diplomatic response when asked about Wilson’s departure — and the GM accepted some blame for the failed trade that brought the QB to Denver.

“We took a shot on a quarterback who’s had a lot of success in this league,” Paton said, via Klis. “Nine pro Bowls, won the most the first 10 years in this league.”

“It wasn’t just Russ,” Paton said. “There’s a lot of contributing factors as to why we didn’t win. At the end of the day, we didn’t play good enough offense. We didn’t win enough games. I’m accountable for that. No one tried harder than Russ to make this work. Appreciate his effort, the professionalism he showed. Total pro. Wish him the best in Pittsburgh, he’s going to a good team. Just wish the best.”

Wilson is set to return to Denver this fall because the Steelers are among the Broncos’ 2024 opponents. That game is shaping up to be must-watch TV.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos GM George Paton attended J.J. McCarthy’s pro day

The Broncos are taking a close look at Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton and offensive line coach Zach Strief attended Michigan’s pro day in Ann Arbor on Friday.

Paton got a close look at Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who has been rising up pundit big boards as the NFL draft draws closer.

McCarthy was not the only notable draft prospect working out at Michigan’s pro day, but he was the most notable prospect for the QB-needy Broncos.

KFAN’s Paul Allen reported last month that Broncos coach Sean Payton is “quite enamored” with McCarthy, and Denver’s staff met with the QB at the combine. Unless the Broncos are attempting an elaborate smokescreen, it seems fair to say the club is interested in McCarthy.

Denver does not pick until 12th overall in the first round and McCarthy seems unlikely to fall that far. If McCarthy is Payton’s preferred QB, the team will likely need to trade up to land him.

The New York Giants, who hold pick No. 6, have been doing their homework on McCarthy. The Minnesota Vikings don’t pick until No. 11, but after also acquiring pick No. 23 via trade, they appear to be positioned to trade up for a QB.

So if the Broncos want to land a top QB, they might have to trade all the way up to pick No. 4 (unless they’re willing to make a deal with their division rivals — the Los Angeles Chargers sit at No. 5). Our most recent seven-round mock draft has Denver trading with the Arizona Cardinals to acquire pick No. 4 and draft McCarthy.

The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

George Paton hinted toward Broncos’ free agency moves at the combine

George Paton said at the combine the Broncos needed to improve their run defense and the secondary’s depth. Malcolm Roach ✅ Brandon Jones ✅

Speaking at the NFL combine last month, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton was asked about the state of the team’s defense.

Paton identified a few areas where the squad could improve, notably mentioning the need for a run-stuffer and more depth in the secondary.

“We feel like we need to be better in the run, and we need to stop the run better,” Paton said on Feb. 27. “We were inconsistent, a lot of things we did. Week 1 through [Week] 6 or one through the first six games, we were the worst defense in the league and then the final 11 [games] we were in the Top 10, Top 5 in a lot of metrics so really just be more consistent.

“I think we need to get better inside, stopping the run. Just be more disciplined at times and you saw that earlier. I saw that a little late with some of the busted coverages. You can always use help in the secondary, but I feel good about the young core on defense, and we will just continue to add depth.”

Fans who paid attention to Paton’s remarks at the combine were not surprised by the team’s first two signings during NFL free agency.

Denver added safety Brandon Jones — a key addition after losing Justin Simmons — and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach, who had the best run-stop percentage in the NFL last season.

Paton and Co. set out to improve the run defense and the secondary depth, and they did so early in free agency. There are still remaining positions of need for the Broncos, but the team quickly completed the top two items on Paton’s to-do list this offseason.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos can’t afford to get QB decision wrong in NFL draft

The Broncos can’t afford to miss on a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft. Denver has to land a QB, and it has to be the right QB.

The Denver Broncos know what it’s like to miss on a quarterback early in the NFL draft.

The Broncos used a second-round pick on Drew Lock in 2019, a first-round pick on Paxton Lynch in 2017 and a second-round pick on Brock Osweiler in 2012. Circumstances provided varying degrees of excuses for each QB, but ultimately, they all proved to be busts.

Denver can also look at other teams for recent examples of busted QBs. The first six QBs picked in the 2022 NFL draft — Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder, Malik Willis, Matt Corral, Bailey Zappe and Sam Howell — have all been either benched, cut or traded.

Go back one year further and there’s been one hit so far in Trevor Lawrence, but the four other first-round QBs in 2021 have been benched or traded: Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones.

This doesn’t mean the Broncos should not try to find their QB in this year’s draft — especially when it appears to be such a strong class — but it does demonstrate the importance of getting the right guy.

“It’s the most important position in sports,” Denver general manager George Paton said at the NFL combine last month.

The Broncos currently hold pick No. 12 in the first round and if they want to land one of the top four QBs — Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels or J.J. McCarthy — the team will likely need to trade up.

“[I]f you’re going to draft one, that’s obviously very difficult [to decide],” Paton said. “We’re going to put a lot of time in it, like we do every position, but the quarterback position is just that much — it seems like there’s more mistakes, it seems like at quarterback especially, in the first round.”

After moving on from veteran Russell Wilson, Denver appears poised to have a rebuilding year in 2024 before bouncing back with plenty of salary cap space to spare in 2025. If they land the right QB in April and get him some experience as a rookie this fall, the Broncos could be poised to get the franchise back on track in 2025.

If they miss on their QB yet again, Denver will return to the football purgatory they’ve been in since Peyton Manning’s retirement. April could be a turning point for the Broncos, but they have to get it right. No pressure.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Picking up Pat Surtain’s 5th-year option should be an easy decision for Broncos

“That’s one of the easier decisions we’ll make,” Broncos GM George Paton said of the team’s upcoming decision on CB Pat Surtain.

As a player picked in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain is eligible to receive a fifth-year contract option for the 2025 season worth $19,802,000.

Denver will likely pick up the option, but the deadline is not until May 2, so there’s no rush.

“Yeah, we’ll look into it,” general manager George Paton said at the NFL combine in February. “We have a lot going on before that, we have free agency then we have the draft. Pat is going to be here.

“Obviously, we value Pat, and we’ll see where that goes. We’ll work on that. I would say it’s pretty close. That’s an easy one. That’s one of the easier decisions we’ll make.”

The Broncos are a bit busy at the moment with NFL free agency, and as Paton noted, the NFL draft will follow next month. Once the offseason frenzy starts to die down, picking up Surtain’s fifth-year option should be an easy decision for Denver.

Eventually, the Broncos will work on a long-term extension for Patrick, perhaps getting a deal done before the fifth-year option even kicks in. First things, first, though, Denver will likely secure the 2025 season by picking up his option before May 2.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos salary cap update going into free agency

The Broncos should have north of $27 million in available salary cap space going into NFL free agency.

NFL free agency hasn’t even started yet and the Denver Broncos have already made a flurry of roster moves.

Parting ways with quarterback Russell Wilson put the team in a salary cap hole, but the team has made progress climbing out of that hole.

The team restructured the contracts of wide receiver Tim Patrick (saving $8.375 million) and right tackle Mike McGlinchey (saving $11 million). Denver also cut safety Justin Simmons (saving $14.5 million) and tight end Chris Manhertz (saving $2.12 million). The Broncos then agreed to trade receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns (saving $12.987 million).

Denver has also made a few in-house deals, most notably re-signing safety P.J. Locke to a two-year deal. Additionally, the team brought back offensive lineman Quinn Bailey, linebacker Jonas Griffith and wide receiver Michael Bandy on one-year contracts.

So, where does that leave the team going in free agency this week?

The exact details of P.J. Locke’s contract are not yet known, but it’s been reported as a $7 million deal. If split evenly over two years, Locke would have a $3.5 million cap hit this season (that’s not a likely scenario, but just for the sake of an example, we’ll go with it).

Before accounting for the Locke contract, OverTheCap.com estimates the Broncos have $30,575,445 in available salary cap space. Subtracting $3.5 million for Locke would drop that total down to $27,075,445, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the safety’s contract has a lower cap hit in 2024 than in 2025.

We won’t know the team’s exact cap space until the details of Locke’s contract are revealed, but it seems safe to guestimate that Denver has north of $27 million available going into NFL free agency.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos could have gotten more for Jerry Jeudy in 2023

Broncos turned down 3rd- and 5th-round picks for Jerry Jeudy last fall, per Adam Schefter. Now they’ve accepted 5th- and 6th-round picks.

Hindsight is always 20/20, right?

Last year, the Denver Broncos held firm at the NFL’s in-season trade deadline, opting not to trade wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, safety Justin Simmons or anyone else despite being 3-5 going into their bye week.

The Broncos ended up finishing the year with an 8-9 record and they missed the playoffs. A few months later, Jeudy has been traded for a pair of late-round picks and Simmons was cut in exchange for salary cap space (which was needed, but picks would have been helpful as well).

Denver probably could have gotten more for Jeudy had they traded him before the in-season deadline last fall, and even getting a late-round pick for Simmons would have been better than releasing him for nothing.

During an interview on 104.3 The Fan last November, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said, “I believe they [the Broncos] got offered a three and five” during trade talks for Jeudy. If that’s accurate, Denver turned down third- and fifth-round picks in 2023 only to later accept fifth- and sixth-round picks for the same player in 2024.

This is yet another poor result for general manager George Paton, who has fumbled numerous free agent signings and trades in recent seasons. One has to wonder just how long until the Broncos might cut Paton as well.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]