Clayton: Broncos head into camp after good offseason, draft
With a mix of offseason acquisitions and strong draft picks, George Paton has the Broncos in a good position heading into training camp
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As much as we’ve talked about Denver Broncos general manager George Paton’s success this offseason, we haven’t talked much about his first draft.
That also turned out well. Sure, when you start with the 10th pick after a 5-11 season, that helps. But it wouldn’t surprise me if the Broncos eventually end up with four starters from this draft. It’s considered a good draft if a team can get three starters. That’s why picks in the first three rounds are so valued. When teams talk trade, many are reluctant to give up anything in the first three rounds because they don’t want to give up a potential starter who can be at a low price for three or four years.
The Broncos might not get any of the choices to start this year, particularly on a defense that Paton fixed for talent. They are considered to have the best secondary in the league and could vault into the top 10 defenses, as long as the offense doesn’t have many turnovers.
They don’t have to rush first-round choice Patrick Surtain II because they have Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan. Fuller and Callahan are free agents next year, so Surtain should start with Darby next year.
There is a chance second-round choice Javonte Williams could start. He’s competing against Melvin Gordon III for the starting job. He’s a strong, powerful, nasty runner. Gordon is a free agent next year, so that will leave the job to Williams at very least next year.
A lot of people loved the third-round selection of center Quinn Meinerz. He will compete against Lloyd Cushenberry for the starting job this year, but you sense he will start at some point during his first four years.
The Broncos are in good shape at inside linebacker with Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson. Pro Football Focus rated them in the top 10 in the league at inside linebacker. Third-round choice Baron Browning is a little too raw to beat them out, but he’s a freakish athlete who could add youth and athleticism to the defense at some point.
Good offseason. Good draft.
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