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The Denver Broncos are preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft, focusing on selecting impactful players despite a late second-round pick at No. 62. General Manager George Paton emphasizes the importance of drafting high-trait players who may require development.
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It is NFL Draft Week and that means we are on the brink of officially kicking off a new season. After three months reminiscing (or trying to forget) just how close the Broncos were in their Super Bowl run in 2025, we can now *truly* focus on getting back there in 2026. But when the famous NFL Draft chime sounds on Thursday night for teams to get their picks in, there will not be one for the Broncos. If Denver doesnât trade up or out of their first pick, the new player will come late in the second round at No. 62. But George Paton and Sean Payton are still expecting impact players. âWeâre always going to take the best player available within reason,â Paton said. âIf there are a couple of defensive backs there and there are other players maybe that are a bigger need, we would go that way. You always want to build on a strength. I think weâve done that since weâve arrived, and itâs worked.â In recent drafts, the Broncos have mostly hit on their second-round picks including RJ Harvey, Marvin Mims, Nik Bonitto and Courtland Sutton who were all taken around that 60-something selection.
The Broncos aim to select the best available players while also considering their team needs, focusing on high-trait players who may need development.
The Broncos are set to pick at No. 62 in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Recent successful second-round picks include RJ Harvey, Marvin Mims, Nik Bonitto, and Courtland Sutton.
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âExpectations are high. We think there are good players in this draft. âŠWe think there are good players where weâre picking at 62. We have two picks up in the top of the fourth [round], and we feel good [about] whatâs going to be there. We like it.â
George paton But wherever the Broncos pick a player, the expectation is the same for each. âTheyâre high. We think there are good players in this draft,â Paton said, adding that they have a number top players targeted for 62 as well as the two fourth-round picks. âWe think there are good players where weâre picking at 62. We have two picks up in the top of the fourth [round], and we feel good [about] whatâs going to be there. We like it.â Paton, who loves to move down and get more picks, noted he has flexibility to do just that. âWe donât mind it, and we know we still have flexibility with the seven picks to move up or move back and get more picks,â he said. âWe have experience with this. Weâve gotten good players with lesser picks, so we feel good.â Denver is mostly drafting for depth, which is a good place to be when you have fewer picks. Thereâs no telling what position the Broncos will go for at 62 but Paton indicated that itâs not necessarily a player they expect to be a starter on Day 1. âWe typically like to draft high-trait players,â the GM said, adding that they arenât afraid of a player needing development. âMaybe they lack a little bit of polish, and itâs going to take some development. Weâve done a great job with the coaches in developing these types of players.â Paton noted that there is some luxury in being able to draft players who donât necessarily need to fill a starting role. The time to develop can make them much better when their number is called. âIt starts with just being a good football player. We are always trying to get our best players on the field. Does that impact how we draft, or is it vice versa? That would be the six-million-dollar question. I think itâs a little bit of both.â
sean Payton But sometimes a new player has to step up, Paton said, highlighting their experience with Quinn Meinertz. âHe started his first year, maybe wasnât quite ready. Sure weâd like somebody to come in and start right away, but thatâs not always realistic for first-, second- [round picks], no matter where theyâre picked,â Paton said. âItâs just hard. With the way our team is built now, itâs going to be hard to come in and start Day 1.â One thing we know for sure is that Sean Payton likes smart players. Players with a high football IQ who can handle his system and maintain his culture. If I had to bet on it, Iâd say Payton would choose those qualities over elite skill every time. Just look at his franchise QB. âIt starts with just being a good football player,â Payton said. âWe are always trying to get our best players on the field. Does that impact how we draft or is it vice versa? That would be the six-million-dollar question. I think itâs a little bit of both.â