Paton: Broncos have six players they’re ‘kind of focused on’ at 62

The Broncos currently have to wait until the 62nd pick to go on the clock in next week’s NFL Draft, and that leaves them with myriad variables to affect the direction in which they could go with their first choice.

But as general manager George Paton noted in a conference call with Denver-area media Thursday, the team has narrowed its target range a bit heading into the draft.

“There’s six players we’re kind of focused on that could be there at 62,” Paton said. “We feel good about those players. We’re going to keep working through them.

“We’ve been down in the dungeons since the Wednesday after the owners meetings, just watching tape, had our meetings now, going through all these different scenarios. So we feel good about 62.”

Some of the players the Broncos have hosted for “30” visits in recent weeks are projected to go in the second- or third-round range, including Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks, Missouri defensive lineman Chris McClellan, Georgia defensive lineman Christen Miller and Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers.

 

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PATON: NO ADDED PRESSURE FOR BRONCOS BECAUSE THEY LACK EARLY DRAFT CAPITAL

Despite having just one pick in the first 100 spots, Paton doesn’t feel any extra heat to try and nail the selection.

“I don’t think there’s any more pressure,” Paton said. “We’re going to go through our process. Our process has worked and it continues to evolve, and I think it’s better.

I feel more prepared for this draft than I was for last year’s and the prior draft.”

It helps that the Broncos have mostly flourished in the range where they’re scheduled to pick.

If the Broncos stand pat at 62, this will be the fifth time Denver has selected in the 60s in Paton’s tenure as general manager. Of those picks, just one can be considered a bust: 2023 choice Drew Sanders; the Arkansas linebacker went No. 67 overall, and there are mitigating circumstances in the numerous injuries he’s suffered.

The other picks in the 60s were edge rusher Nik Bonitto (No. 64, 2022), wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (No. 63, 2023) and running back RJ Harvey (No. 60, 2025). Bonitto is a two-time Pro Bowler and was a second-team All-Pro in 2024; Mims is also a two-time Pro Bowler and has been a first- and second-team All-Pro, and Harvey racked up 12 touchdowns as a rookie.

“We’ve done well in that realm,” Paton said.

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