It’s revisionist history to suggest drafting Surtain was right move by Paton

It is frequently said that Patrick Surtain was a better pick for the Broncos in the 2021 NFL Draft than Justin Fields because Denver ultimately got Russell Wilson. Of course, this assumes that some sort of master plan was executed to perfection. That theory suggest that then-first-year general manager George Paton wielded an unequaled genius in his procurement of a cornerback.

In reality, Paton was like Steven Bradbury, an Australian Olympic short track speed skater who won gold in 2002 in the 1,000 meter race after all his opponents crashed into each other. He won – by default.

But what about the illustrious best draft recognition given to Paton at this year’s combine? Let me give you some history on that prize and how it is bestowed.

It’s the fifth time the award was given. The previous winners were the Saints (2017), Colts (2018), 49ers (2019) and Buccaneers (2020). The award came from polling NFL scouts and administrators by Inside the League (ITL).

ITL is a web site that is a warehouse of info primarily for aspiring pro athletes and their families. ITL specialize in such things as Interview Skills Training, Student Athlete Consultation, Wonderlic Tutorials and All-Star Game Management. They are a connection between athletes and scouts.

It’s a cool gossip, insiders web site. It has zero to do with how the draft picks actually perform at the next level. In fact, even Paton said so in a self-deprecating manner when accepting the award,

“It’s hard to believe you get the award after winning seven games,” the GM said. “But we will take it.”

Indeed, Paton knows the truth. He bent over backward to praise the scouts for all their hard work, as he pointed out he was late to the process from the beginning.

“Hopefully next year, we can win more than seven games,” concluded Paton.

The endless hours the scouts put in are no joke. They deserve their recognition.

Somebody had to figure out why Caden Sterns would be a good situational player. Somebody had to figure out what Baron Browning’s role would be in the future. From the large stockpile of running backs, somebody had to figure out why Javonte Williams would be better than most.

Through the trough of large men, who in the world would pick Quinn Meinerz to possibly compete with Netane Muti? Somebody, likely with a family, had to figure that one out.

All these things needed to be done. The problem is how they all pale in comparison to actually choosing a quarterback.

You can’t have a fantastic steak restaurant if you don’t have clean napkins. Somebody has to figure out the laundry. But what does that matter if you run out of steak?

The Broncos ran out of QB steak a long time ago.

Any disparagement of the ITL award would appear to be a criticism of the Broncos scouts, so I’m not here to do that, at all. I’m here to put in perspective the primary job of the GM. That’s to find a QB and a coaching staff to allow that QB to flourish and, ultimately, win games.

Paton actually knows this. He gets it, while so many others seemingly don’t.

Winning an award for a seven-win season is frankly absurd. But praising and honoring scouts that kill themselves to the detriment of their families is worthy of acceptance.

However, in no way does that mean that selecting a cornerback over a quarterback when you need a QB equates to a banner year. Frankly, awarding any draft class one year after it has been established is a fool’s errand. But, if the ITL waited three years to see how a class truly pans out, they wouldn’t have much of an event in their rented ballroom in Indy.

The answer to the question about Paton’s draft class of 2021 is simple: We will see. The Patriots had the better draft class because they picked a QB and that QB got their team to the playoffs. I mean, if we are truly evaluating the impact and awarding things based on one year, how is winning not the No. 1 criteria?

But hey, the Broncos got a guard who blocked a tree on an island somewhere in Canada.

This all lands on the feet of Paton’s true decision. Patrick Surtain rather than Justin Fields or Mac Jones. Surtain rather than Rashawn Slater or Micah Parsons.

In the past decade, of the 13 corners selected in the top 10, only two have become first team All-Pros (Jalen Ramsey and Stephon Gilmore). Both were All-Pros and Super Bowl champs on the second team they played for, however.

Ramsey was an All-Pro his second year with Jacksonville, but it took a deal to the Rams to make him a champ (Matthew Stafford). Gilmore suffered in Buffalo, until landing with the Patriots (Tom Brady).

Even the best highly drafted corners in the past decade needed to leave the team that selected them in order to be a key piece for their new teams to win. Why? Because that’s what a corner is! He is a key piece, not the steak.

Perhaps he’s the mashed potatoes under the filet. He makes the dinner better, but essentially you could do without it. In no world, does a cornerback compare to the value of a quarterback. Zero!

So to say that the Broncos are better off with Surtain rather than Fields is to simply state that you put their positions on equal ground. I do wonder who goes into a steakhouse and orders the mashed potatoes first and then asks what steak would go well with their selection.

What I love about Paton is he learned from his early mistakes. It was at the combine where Paton – now free of the terrible coaching staff he was forced to inherit for a painful year – was able to put a deal together for Russell Wilson. Hey, he even drew a line in the sand to keep Surtain!

What he didn’t do was hesitate like he did with Stafford. What he didn’t do was insist on letting the horrible second-round selection of Drew Lock encumber him from moving forward. Paton wasn’t drowning in John Elway’s shadow. It was a no-brainer, yet brilliant moment of clarity, to realize the Broncos have nothing if they don’t have the guy at QB.

Would it have hurt the organization permanently had the Broncos not gotten Surtain? No, of course not! Ramsey and Gilmore had the best moments of their careers after leaving their original teams. There is nothing to say the Broncos couldn’t have acquired Surtain three years from now if he turns out to be that good. No position is easier to snatch up in free agency than corner.

What you didn’t know was the possible upsides of Fields and Jones. Passing on QBs when you need a QB is a GM sin, not a scouting failure. Paton didn’t make the mistake twice and that is admirable and praiseworthy. But, saying he got it right in the first place – “Look at this award!” – is foolish.

He got it right eventually. Good for him. I mean, it took a disastrously bad seven-win season where at the end you dumped both your QBs and your coaching staff, but – ya know – whatever!

Also, it’s arguable that if you really knew you were getting Wilson, you likely would’ve been better off drafting a rookie second team All-Pro Tackle in Rashawn Slater. It’s even debatable that if you truly wanted a game wrecker on D, you could’ve snatched up all-world talent Micah Parsons. These are the questions that should truly be asked if everybody knew Wilson was eventually going to be on the Broncos.

Had the Broncos selected Fields, it would’ve meant they had a plan for him. They would’ve certainly started Teddy and they would’ve gone 3-3 to start the season. How Fields would’ve done in those final 11 or so games is debatable. I would like to think that you would’ve had a coaching staff that would’ve been on board with the pick (they clearly weren’t).

Knowing that, Paton would’ve had to make changes before the season to suit his QB situation as he has now done. Had Paton not made any coaching changes and Fields was a disaster with an incompetent coaching staff (which is likely), he certainly would’ve been more attractive to the Seahawks than Lock. Meaning the Broncos likely would’ve had to given up less for Wilson. And while you wouldn’t have Surtain now, it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be able to get him later. We will never know who the Broncos gave up to get Wilson, and frankly it doesn’t matter.

Paton got it right… eventually.

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