Denver Broncos general manager George Paton has shown unpredictability in his draft choices, particularly with recent selections. A surprising statistic reveals that only three out of over 150 players who visited the team were eventually drafted.
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Denver Broncos general manager George Paton has begun his sixth draft with the team since taking over that position. His drafts, particularly when Sean Payton has been aboard, have been entirely unpredictable.
That was evident last year when the Broncos used their first three picks on players almost no one had connected them to during the pre-draft process, Jahdae Barron, RJ Harvey and Pat Bryant. However, this statistic about how the team views their "Top 30" visits may explain a different approach to the way the team scouts players.
Since Paton became general manager, the only players who have come to Denver on a Top 30 visit that were eventually drafted by the team are Bo Nix, Nik Bonitto and Riley Moss. That would be three out of over 150 total players, translating to an incredibly small percentage.
What is a Top 30 visit?
Teams are allowed the chance to invite up to 30 prospects for a more in-depth look during the pre-draft process. This goes beyond the scouting combine and pro days and gives teams a chance to get to know the player more closely, determine how they can fit into their system, and learn about them on a more personal basis.
A Top 30 visit allows NFL teams to bring in up to 30 prospects for interviews and evaluations before the draft.
Only three players—Bo Nix, Nik Bonitto, and Riley Moss—who attended a Top 30 visit were drafted by the Broncos since George Paton became general manager.
The Broncos' draft choices are seen as unpredictable due to their tendency to select players who were not widely connected to them during the pre-draft process.
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However, it seems the Broncos have been using these visits to take a closer look at players they don't intend to draft and maybe see what it is about them that other teams are looking for. It's an interesting approach and only Paton and his staff know what the real strategy is.
Who have the Broncos had in for Top 30 visits this year? This might be a better look at players they won't take, rather than players they could select.
Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan
Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri
Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
Justin Joly, TE, North Carolina State
Josh Gesky, G, Illinois
Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU
Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana (Drafted in 1st round, New York Jets)
Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M
Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
Nick Barnett, DT, South Carolina
This is not to say that the Broncos won't draft any players, but odds are low, given the history of Paton.