Denver Broncos GM George Paton expressed satisfaction with the team's draft, highlighting improvements in roster depth and youth. The Broncos addressed key positions and added high-level talent, including safety Miles Scott and linebacker Red Murdock.
Key points
Broncos had a successful draft, addressing roster holes.
GM George Paton highlighted improvements in depth and youth.
Notable picks include safety Miles Scott and linebacker Red Murdock.
Draft strategy focused on selecting best players available.
Team aimed to enhance offensive and defensive lines.
Mentioned in this story
George PatonSean Payton
Denver BroncosMiles ScottRed Murdock
Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton speaks to reporters in the media during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton speaks to reporters in the media during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Itâs safe to say that, at least on paper, the Broncos had a successful draft this year. They managed to address every hole on the roster and picked up some great-value picks and managed not to reach for anyone.
The opinion from the media and Broncos Country is that Denver is improved heading into the remainder of the offseason. And the organization feels the same way. Hereâs how GM George Paton was feeling after the draft:
âI think we both feel really good about the last couple days and the team in general. I talked about it last night. We had seven total picks and yet, we also got [WR Jaylen] Waddle. So feel good about the team, feel good about the weekend. I think we helped our depth; we helped our team in a lot of areas. We wanted to get younger in both lines. I feel like we did that. Wanted to get some offensive help as well, more explosion. I think we helped ourselves at running back and tight end and just depth across the board. So I think we got younger; I think we got better over the weekend. You factor in our first-round pick is a really good player so feel good about that as a whole. I think we got great make up. You go down the list [and] there are captains on this list, and I could go through each of these players. We just added to a really good locker room.â
One of the strongest parts of their draft was how they managed to pick up high-level talent late on day three of the draft. Safety Miles Scott and linebacker Red Murdock have a great chance of making the final 53-man roster. Hereâs what Sean Payton and George Paton have to say about them:
**Payton**: â[S] Miles [Scott] we were real familiar with, talking with âPalchoâ (T Alex Palczewski) and [WR] Pat [Bryant]. These guys were teammates. Illinois had a handful of players drafted. It would be very normal, especially when a playerâs younger on our roster, [and] has been on the same team. His name came up and up. He went in with Pat as a receiver and then was converted. So with both our players, his name came up a number of times. Throughout the process, I think we became very familiar with him. So thereâs versatility, special-teams flex.â
**Paton**: âWith Miles, I think the ball skills. I think he had seven interceptions throughout his career. [He is] very physical for a former receiver, and instincts for a guy who hasnât played it all that long. We thought he had really good anticipation and instincts, and thus he had the interceptions. I think he fits in with our group and what we look for in safeties. Then [LB Red] Murdock, just man, heâs a tackling machine. Just really instinctive. Really good against the run. He may hold the recordâyou guys may knowâfor forced fumbles. Everyone talked about the Texas Tech guy [Dolphins LB Jacob Rodriguez], and he was amazing, but this guyâoh my gosh, if you look at his career and all the forced fumbles he had. Just a nose for the ball, relentless motor. Think he could be a good special teamer. Great make up, all of these guys I think have great make up.â
The team seemed to have a theme of drafting defense on day two and drafting the offense on day three of the draft. Was it intentional?
**Payton**: âIf you ran 100 of our scenarios that we discussed, that earlier pick was at other positions. The next morning, that would have been hard. We had an idea of who might be there at that first pick, but it was both offensively and defensively. That was the hard part.â
**Paton**: âNo⊠I wish we were that good at forecasting. I hate saying, âThe best player,â but we just kind of took the best players as they came. Sometimes need and the best player intersected, and it worked out. But no, it just kind of worked out that way. The defense yesterday, and then we had three straight offense. Then two more defense. So it just kind of worked out that way.â
The front office had their work cut out for them on day three of the draft, especially considering how spread out their picks were. Hereâs how they handled that issue:
**Payton**: âSee if this makes senseâand Iâm going to age myself a little. The internet was what, 2008? When did we ditch the Blackberries? I know back in â06 it was just the Blackberries and then youâd have a few guides. Now here we are in 2026. [Pro Football Hall of Fame Head Coach] Bill [Parcells] used to always say, â95 percent of the discussion, relative to the coverage, is around one-seventh of the draft.â Itâs covered so well now that I think if you went back to pre-internetâand there were just a few books, some television shows, you wouldâve seen maybe a little bit of a broader dispersion rate in the first round. We were watching the draft last night, and thereâs letâs say, 18 or 19 players off the board. Whoâs going to be the first one thatâs just outside the norm? Look. A team like the Rams make a decision⊠Just envision then you get into second, third, and it just changes drastically where teams just see players. Itâs because of the internet, itâs just as you continue to look and value player 79 or 84, it drastically changes. Every year youâre hoping as a team that players to the right of your board are getting taken to your left and pushing players that you want⊠Youâre hoping thatâs happening throughout the draft. Thatâs been pretty constant compared to maybe years ago. I mean they gathered in a basement when there were nine owners *(Laughs)*. There were umpteen rounds. We were reading⊠We had some time today. *(Laughs)*â
**Paton**: â[Rounds] Five to seven, I donât know how long that was. Three hours?â
**Payton**: âSo we read whoâs the top seventh [round] pick of all time? There were seven or eight [Pro Football] Hall of Famers. The sixth round was easy, fifth round. Then someone in the room was filling us in on the 19th round. I can remember when I was in college, I think there were 13 rounds. So itâs certainly come a long way.â
Q&A
What did George Paton say about the Broncos' draft strategy?
George Paton stated that the Broncos successfully addressed every hole on the roster and improved their depth and youth during the draft.
Who are the notable players the Broncos drafted this year?
The Broncos drafted safety Miles Scott and linebacker Red Murdock, both of whom are expected to compete for spots on the final roster.
How did the Broncos approach their draft picks in 2026?
The Broncos focused on selecting the best players available, balancing their picks between offensive and defensive needs as they arose.
What positions did the Broncos prioritize during the draft?
The Broncos prioritized improving their offensive and defensive lines, as well as adding depth at running back and tight end.
Related Articles
Sports
Lamine Yamalâs injury opens up race for Zarra trophy; Barcelona star one of the candidates
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Younghoe Koo's whiff kick for the Giants may have saved a life on the way to the Kentucky Derby
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Emmitt Smithâs Son, E.J. Smith, Signs With Kansas City Chiefs After Going Undrafted
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Swing alterations helping spark Red Sox's slow-starting Jarren Duran
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
British Open to return to Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Portland Thorns star Sophia Wilson scores first goal since maternity leave