3 Key Takeaways From Sean Payton & George Paton's Combine Pressers

The Denver Broncos gave out some vital information on what to expect from the team in coming weeks.

One of the last big events leading up to the draft has kicked off this week, with the Combine kicking into high gear on Tuesday. The Denver Broncos had both Sean Payton and George Paton answer some questions about the team’s offseason, and I think they gave us some major clues about where things are heading this offseason. There also might be one area that the two could disagree on and lead to a battle when it comes to draft night. 

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Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) warms up before Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Credit: © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. Free agency should be quiet for the Broncos

Last year saw the Broncos spend more money than any other team in the NFL. It was an exciting time for sure, but usually after spending big one year there is a pretty steep drop off in spending the next. George Paton hinted at that very idea even with the salary cap increase coming in higher than expected. He said “We’re going to be strategic. We’re not going to be as aggressive as last year. We have flexibility, but we’re going to just be more measured and try to fill specific positions and specific needs throughout the team.”

The one major area though that we could see the Broncos spend some decent money is on the defensive line. Paton spent a great deal of time talking about the run defense not being good enough. He said, “We feel like we need to be better in the run, and we need to stop the run better.” He continued later saying “I think we need to get better inside stopping the run. Just be more disciplined at times.”

I do not think the Broncos will be going after the day 1 free agency guys like Chris Jones, Justin Madubuike, or Christian Wilkins. The tier two guys at the position though could very much be in the plans. Names like Grover Stewart, Sheldon Rankins (Drafted by Sean Payton when he was with the Saints), or Teair Tart make some sense for the Broncos and could drastically improve the run defense day one.

The other position I could see the Broncos pursuing aggressively in free agency is that of tight end. George Paton talked about needing more production from the position and how not having someone that could attack the middle of the defense really hurt this team.

Rookie tight ends take a lot of time to develop typically so I could see the Broncos making the choice to add through free agency to give Greg Dulcich some real competition as the top receiving option at the tight end position. A couple of names that make some sense for the Broncos would be Hunter Henry and Gerald Everett. Neither will cause opposing teams to lose sleep, but they are consistent and offer at least a little production that will keep a defense honest.

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2. Broncos hinting at moving on from big names?

One of the big surprises on the Denver Broncos this past season in a positive light was the emergence of Lloyd Cushenberry as a plus starter on this roster. The Broncos have been waiting years to see the potential emerge in their former third-round pick. When asked about Cushenberry, Paton said they would love to sign him, but then also spent a great deal of time talking about the young player they have waiting in the wings. He said, “We feel good about Wattenberg. We feel really good about Forsyth. We feel like there’s depth.” Later, he talked about how they view them as potential starters.

I think when the Broncos are looking at the cap situation, they will eventually land at the conclusion it is time to let Cushenberry test the market and more than likely go elsewhere. 

The other player I think today’s pressers could spell danger for his future in Denver is Jerry Jeudy. Mike Klis recently commented on the wide receiver position, speaking about how he expects Courtland Sutton to return next season, and even talked about a possible opportunity for Tim Patrick to still be around. The one he did float in trade rumors is Jerry Jeudy. 

At the Combine, Sean Payton was asked about Marvin Mims and his lack of production as a rookie. He took the blame for not setting up more opportunities and maximizing the talent of Mims, but he also made another little comment. He said, “He’s playing the same position as Jerry Jeudy.” I have to think if the Broncos are serious about getting more reps for Marvin Mims, then there is a good chance that is at the expense of seeing Jerry Jeudy gone before the 2024 season kicks off. It saves the Broncos some money and could land them a late-round pick.

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Oct 29, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) celebrates a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports / © Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

3) Do Payton & Paton see eye-to-eye on a QB?

Both Payton and Paton spent a great deal of time answering questions about all things quarterbacks. Some of those questions dealt with Russell Wilson and when they will decide on him. I am even more sure today than the day before that Wilson is not a part of the future in Denver. Both sides seem content with that decision. What I do question, though, is what the Broncos will do moving forward for their quarterback question. 

Sean Payton when asked about what they are looking for gave great detail of the traits they desire. He also made a funny comment about a fan wearing a t-shirt with the names of past Bronco quarterbacks crossed out, and on the bottom of that list was Wilson crossed out. He said their job is to make sure the next one is not crossed out.

That, to me, sounds like a man that is wanting to find the future of this franchise now. He did not hint in any way of wanting a journeyman quarterback. The confidence in himself and his evaluation process also came out when Payton talked about how he thinks he and his group can do better than most teams in finding real quarterback talent. 

George Paton on the other side of things, though, was much more reserved in his idea of finding a quarterback this year. He did not sound like someone confident in a trade-up happening and showed some real fear of getting it wrong. His old Minnesota days of wanting to trade back and get as many darts to throw at the board shined through when discussing his view of the draft. 

It will be interesting to follow this process and see if what to do at the quarterback position could become a real dividing force between Payton and Paton. In his time with the Vikings, they did seem hesitant to ever take a big chance on a quarterback. The closest one could argue was the Minnesota Vikings trading back into the late first round to take Teddy Bridgewater. Payton, on the opposite side of things, comes from a Saints organization that seemed to lock into their few prospects and do whatever it took to get their guys.

We have never seen Payton attempt a high pick on a quarterback, but he also had very few seasons of needing to make such a move with HOF Drew Brees running the offense. In the end, I think Sean Payton will win this debate and get his guy when the draft rolls around in April. 

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