Broncos tried to hide interest in top pick Patrick Surtain II

After night one of the NFL Draft, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton revealed just how much the organization coveted Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

For instance, Paton and company wanted Surtain so much that they passed on multiple teams’ offers to trade up to their No. 9 draft slot.

“We were in those discussions as we were on the clock. It would have taken a haul to pass on Patrick Surtain,” Paton said Thursday night, adding he was the top defensive player on the team’s board.

But on Friday, the new Broncos GM revealed the lengths the team went to make sure their top pick fell to No. 9.

During Surtain’s introductory press conference, Paton said the club attempted to hide its interest in the top cornerback, going so far as to shut down communication with the prospect.

“I never spoke with Pat. I never Zoomed with him. I told our coaches, “Don’t call him.” I told our scouts, “Don’t call. Don’t Zoom.” I didn’t go to the Alabama pro day,” Paton said. “This is a kid we targeted. This is a kid we wanted. We were very fortunate that he was there, and we took him.”

Paton also said he believes Surtain is just “scratching the surface” of his capabilities, that he can be an elite cornerback in the NFL.

“With Vic’s coaching, our coaches’ coaching, he can be one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL,” Paton said.

Surtain followed by saying he “absolutely” believes he can be a top cornerback in the league.

“I think I’m an all-around sound corner. And I think I have what it takes to be an elite corner in this league,” Surtain said Friday.

And joining a highly touted cornerback room, Surtain said he hopes to help bring back some of that “No Fly Zone” confidence back to the Broncos.

“They contributed at a high level. Hopefully, we could bring that back. Just bring that same swagger, that same mentality into the defense,” Surtain said.