Broncos' GM Hints at Plan for Pair of Third-Round Picks
Rumors and speculation abound on the Denver Broncos' pair of third-round draft picks and whether GM George Paton — an executive with a reputation for trading down — might deal one or both away. The Broncos only have five draft picks in 2023, none of which are in the first or second round.
So if Paton hopes to make any hay in this year's draft, those two top-100 picks he's sitting on in Round 3 become crucial. Paton's recent comments confirm as much, although they don't exactly jibe with his disposition of being "inclined" to trade down.
"We certainly have to make some hay [with] those top third[-round picks] and really all the picks," Paton said. "We only have five. Really since free agency finished, Sean [Payton], myself and a couple of our scouts, we've sat in a dark room and we've hit the draft. I didn't go to any pro days and we just focused on the draft and specifically those top [third-round picks].
"We're really going to have to make hay."
Here's a look at the selections Denver has in the 2023 NFL draft.
- Pick 67 | Round 4
- Pick 68 | Round 3
- Pick 108 | Round 4
- Pick 139 | Round 5
- Pick 195 | Round 6
The Broncos have found studs in each of these rounds over the years. All-Pro safety Justin Simmons was a third-rounder, starting linebacker Josey Jewell was a fourth, projected safety starter Caden Sterns was a fifth, while former Super Bowl-champion center Matt Paradis was a sixth-rounder.
Aside from Simmons, however, the Broncos' track record of drafting defensive backs in Round 3 isn't good. A trio of cornerbacks drafted in the third round over the last decade haven't panned out for Denver — including Brendan Langley, Isaac Yiadom, and most recently, Michael Ojemudia.
Be that as it may, the third round is considered by many draftniks as the final of the 'premium rounds' of the draft. A player drafted in Rounds 1-3 is expected to become a starter within his first four years as a pro.
In a perfect world, the Broncos hope that any player drafted, regardless of round, has the potential to become a starter someday. But the expectations in the first three rounds are more urgent.
Will Paton, with the input of head coach Sean Payton (who reportedly has final say on all personnel acquisitions, including the draft), find two future starts with that pair of third-rounders? Time will tell.
The Broncos' biggest remaining roster needs, on the heels of landing a very fruitful free-agent haul, include edge rusher, offensive line, cornerback, defensive line, and safety.
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