ENGLEWOOD COLO. — When Denver BroncosGeorge Paton, general manger of the NFL Draft, is looking at how it will unfold next week. He knows pass-rushers could top his list.
They have to be. The AFC West Patrick Mahomes, Justin HerbertAnd Derek CarrBroncos are faced with quarterbacks twice per year. The AFC is populated by other front-line throwers, such as Joe Burrow, Josh AllenAnd Lamar Jackson.
The Broncos have not been scheduled to select until No. Edge rusher is the most deep position on the board, but 64 is the last pick in the second round. However, they do have five picks from the top 116 selections.
Paton stated, “I believe the edge class to be very strong.” “Everyone needs pass rushers, and I believe there are a lot of them in this draft. … While there are many strong positions, I believe that edge is the strongest. 1 strength.”
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The Broncos signed Randy GregoryTo a five-year $70 million deal in agency free of charge Bradley ChubbRe-signed as restricted free agent after the fifth year of his rookie agreement. Malik ReedSelected Jonathon CooperIn the draft from last year.
Paton remains on the lookout for more.
Paton stated, “You can’t have enough pass rushers.” You know what? If we take a pass rusher, it has nothing to do Bradley. We can’t have enough Randy Gregory, Malik Reed and Jonathon Cooper. That’s how we win. When you get a wave, then you get a bunch of rushers. You have an offense capable scoring points.
Although sacks aren’t everything, the Broncos haven’t been putting too much stress on opposing quarterbacks during their six-year playoff drought. Many of this can be attributed to Chubb’s combination with Von MillerThis was a rare combination.
Miller and Chubb played just 21 games together after Miller was selected in round one of the 2018 draft. This was due to a variety injuries. They combined for 30.5 sacks in 21 games. However, Chubb’s rookie season was the only time they played together in defense.
The Broncos finished 18th in the league for sacks last year, after Chubb suffered ankle injuries. Miller was then traded in early November.
Paton stated that overall, the draft is strong through Day 2 & Day 3, where the Broncos have all nine of the picks. The tackle and wide receiver are the deeper positions on the roster. This draft also comes after two COVID-19-affected college football seasons.
A greater number of players have used an additional year of eligibility to avoid last year’s draft. This was because they were considered too thin during most of Day 3 (Rounds 4 through Round 7), and allowed them to be entered this year’s draft. This allowed a player like Cincinnati cornerback to be eligible for this year’s draft. Coby BryantHe played in an unprecedented 63 games with the Bearcats during his career.
Roman Phifer was a senior personnel executive with the Broncos who was on the road last autumn scouting college students in addition to the rest of the team’s scouts. Darren Mougey, Broncos assistant general manger, described it as “an extra set eyes” due the size of this class.
Mougey explained that we had “almost anticipated” this last year. “We had discussions after the draft last years… how should this be addressed?”
Paton stated, “It is an older class.” It will likely be deeper than last year’s class.
Paton indicated that it would prove difficult for the Broncos make any type of deal to move beyond the second round’s final pick back into the first round. However, after a number of trades over last year, highlighted in the blockbuster deal to acquire quarterback Russell WilsonThe Broncos will have only four picks in 2023’s draft.
Paton indicated that he would be open to considering a deal if he could find the right deal or if the board was in a certain place next week.
Paton stated, “It’s great to work the draft.” “… Although we aren’t making trades in order to make trades, our goal is to build the draft as best we possibly can. We don’t want to force anything, but it’s something we would like to do next year.