Denver Broncos GM George Paton said before the NFL draft that he’d address the third phase of the game, special teams, and he made good on that promise with three key rookies that’ll play special teams — most notably fourth-round pick Damarri Mathis.
Since the first three rounds of the NFL draft are the starter roles, Day 3 picks — Rounds 4-7 — typically must show depth chart duality by being able to play special teams. And Paton’s counting on it.
”Special teams is a big emphasis the [third] day, starting with Mathis and you work down to [Delarrin] Turner-Yell,” Paton said. “Turner-Yell is going to be a really good special teams [player]. Then [Montrell] Washington, we feel like he can be a duel returner for us. He’s explosive. I mean, just watch him against Florida. He’s explosive. He is.
“It was a major emphasis. I applaud [special teams coordinator] Dwayne Stukes for the work he and [assistant] Mike Mallory put into it — their evaluations. I think they’re both happy today because I think we improved our special teams.”
Paton’s draft and offseason drew praise from the football cognoscenti. Check out the general manager’s other six picks here.