Happy Saturday, Broncos Country. What a wild first game to start the college football playoffs! The Alabama Crimson Tide looked like they were out of it early on but roared back with 27 straight points
to wind up defeating the Oklahoma Sooners. Let’s hope today’s games are just as eventful. ICYMI: Here is last week’s installment that highlights the games and players to watch.
For today’s installment of Future Broncos, I thought I’d take a break from talking prospects and focus on something else. A focus and analysis about how the Denver Broncos find themselves among the top teams in the National Football League this season.
Just a few years ago, it seemed like the Broncos were in line for a lengthy rebuild after the failed Russell Wilson trade. After incurring over $90 million in dead money against the cap the past two seasons, Denver was operating at a disadvantage compared to other teams.
Regardless, Head Coach Sean Payton and his coaching staff have been able to reel off back-to-back playoff bound seasons immediately after sending Wilson packing. They deserve a huge amount of credit for righting the ship so quickly. However, it’s also important to acknowledge George Paton’s success as a general manager.
While some moves have certainly been questionable, Paton’s drafting prowess is a big reason why the Broncos have a strong foundation of players that will have them competitive for years to come. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and do a review of each draft class under his leadership.
The Class of 2021
Paton’s first class is one I’d chalk up as a clear success. Patrick Surtain II, Quinn Meinerz, and Jonathon Cooper have proven to be gems and earned long-term extensions. The best cornerback in the league and reigning DPOY, an All-Pro guard, and an underrated edge rusher. Those are all great selections.
Now with other teams, Javonte Williams and Baron Browning are the only other players still active in the league. Having a better hit rate on Day 3 would be ideal given the number of picks, but Cooper becoming a quality player for a late seventh-round draft class is beyond impressive. It’s a shame that Caden Sterns’ career was derailed by injuries.
The Class of 2022
The Broncos didn’t have a first-round pick in ‘22 due to the Wilson trade. Even so, they struck gold with Nik Bonitto at the end of the second round. We’ll gladly take All-Pros at pick #64 every day of the week. The former Sooners standout is ascending into one of the NFL’s most dynamic defenders. That really helps out the success rate of this class.
Luke Wattenberg as a fifth-round pick recently earned an extension. He has been a solid starter and is the first center in ages the team has drafted and offered a second contract to. Additionally, Denver is finally starting to see some major progressive from Eyioma Uwazurike.
Delarrin Turner-Yell and Matt Henningsen are still on the team’s practice squad. Unfortunately, Greg Dulcich and Damarri Mathis never realized their potential. Having two players who have become starters that earned extensions helps this class. If Uwazurike earns an extension, that would make it even better.
The Class of 2023
Another draft where the Broncos operated at pick disadvantage. It marks the first with Coach Payton alongside Paton in the war room. Marvin Mims Jr. as an All-Pro returner and versatile offensive weapon in the late second round was a great pick. The Broncos traded future resources to move up and get Riley Moss, and he has proven to be a good #2 cornerback for the team.
JL Skinner hasn’t seen many defensive snaps but has grown into being a core special teamer for the squad. Alex Forsyth is the team’s backup center. The blemish on this class is Drew Sanders, who has only been able to play in 21 games since being drafted. I had high hopes for him, but like Sterns, injuries have derailed his career.
For only five picks, I’d say the Broncos were able to make the most of them. How it ultimately grades out will be determined by what players can be extended. Mims and Moss would certainly be great to keep around, but we will have to wait and see if Payton and Paton opt to extend them this coming offseason.
The Class of 2024
With the 12th overall selection, the Broncos nabbed themselves their quarterback of the future in Bo Nix. I’d have to say this is definitely a Payton pick as opposed to Paton. Nevertheless, that’s a huge get for Denver who desperately needed to find a quarterback after Wilson’s departure from the Mile High City. An absolute home run selection.
The next three picks: Jonah Ellis, Troy Franklin, and Kris Abrams-Draine have all been solid contributors given where they were taken. I feel they have done a great job maximizing their reps. Audric Estime and Devaughn Vele are no longer with the team, though that ‘26 fourth-round pick the Broncos got from the Saints for Vele was certainly a good get.
The early returns from their first four picks are tremendous. Even better? Having Nix in the fold gives the Broncos so much potential and versatility with how they want to build a roster around him. For the next few seasons, Denver will have the benefit of building a strong team around him while maximizing his rookie deal.
The Class of 2025
It’s far too early to grade this year’s rookie class. However, the potential is there for this to also be a good one. Jahdae Barron has been a versatile piece in Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph’s secondary. Meanwhile, running back RJ Harvey has impressed with ten touchdowns to date. That’s the most of any rookie skill position player. I expect both these players to be bigtime playmakers for Denver throughout their rookie deals.
Third-round wide receiver Pat Bryant has been an effective chain mover on offense when targeted. I’ve liked his toughness and blocking in the run game as well. He could very well become an important piece in the offense long-term. Not only that, but Jeremy Crawshaw has impressed as a punter this season and looks way better than what we saw during the preseason.
We haven’t seen much from Sai’vion Jones or Que Robinson thus far. Hopefully their sophomore campaigns show some growth and development. I don’t expect much from Caleb Lohner, he was a late-round, trait-based flyer pick. Overall, I’m pretty happy with what I’ve seen from this class thus far.
Final thoughts on five George Paton drafts
No draft is perfect. It’s impossible to hit on every pick. There have been some whiffs and misses. But truth be told, most players drafted are out of the NFL within four seasons. All things considered, I’m really happy with how Paton’s classes have panned out. Just take a look at how many players he has drafted and extended in five seasons compared to what John Elway did in a decade. How about you, Broncos Country? What kind of grade would you give Paton’s drafting? Let me know what you think in the comments section.
