Higher-profile storylines — particularly Shedeur Sanders‘ destination — will take shape on Day 2, but the Broncos making a best-player-available pick Thursday night will ramp up some pressure on the team to add to their skill-position group. But their rumored effort to trade up may well have been a second straight Round 1 smokescreen for the team.
Payton, who admitted to playing a lead role in a 2024 smokescreen effort related to the team’s first-round strategy, said post-draft (via the Denver Post’s Troy Renck) the Broncos were not interested in moving up. Calling eventual No. 20 overall pick Jahdae Barron “too unique to pass up,” the third-year Broncos HC pointed to this class’ running back depth as a reason they went with the Texas cornerback.
The Chargers chose Omarion Hampton two spots after the Broncos passed on him to strengthen their secondary, and Denver does not hold another pick until No. 51. This runs the risk of the AFC West team missing out on more RB targets, as Ohio State backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins — both of whom logged “30” visits with the Broncos, joining Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson in doing so — could be off the board by then. Payton has shown an early pattern of trading up on Day 2, having climbed for both Marvin Mims and Riley Moss. The team may need to consider a move up if it intends to land one of the top remaining RBs.
George Paton said before the draft the team would select a running back this year, and the fifth-year Denver GM reaffirmed that pledge after the Barron pick. Paton also indicated one back drew the team’s interest in a trade-down scenario, 9News’ Mike Klis adds. Hampton was the only non-Ashton Jeanty RB to be taken on Day 1, but the Broncos could have eyed one of the above-referenced backs had they moved down from No. 20.
Rumblings about the Broncos moving up surfaced early in the week, but trade-down rumors then emerged. After it appeared that would be Denver’s aim, another batch of trade-up rumors came in just before Round 1. This convoluted messaging about the team’s route reminded of 2024, when the team was connected to an aggressive trade-up — with All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain potentially involved in a package — to land a quarterback. Payton later admitted he helped orchestrate that scheme, only to eventually nix any trade-down talk when the Falcons chose Michael Penix Jr. The Broncos stayed at 12 and chose Bo Nix.
The team likely wants a starter-level back to lead a group housing former UDFA Jaleel McLaughlin and 2024 fifth-rounder Audric Estime, who did not see much time as a rookie. Wide receiver also came up for the Broncos, but they chose Barron over former Texas teammate Matthew Golden. As Barron will prepare to join Surtain and Co. in Denver’s secondary, the team’s RB need will take center stage Friday night.