George Paton's Friend & Former Boss Floats Wild Broncos Draft Theory

George Paton worked under Rick Spielman in Minnesota for a decade-plus. Few are as qualified as Spielman to make Denver Broncos draft predictions.

Sep 10, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) reacts in the / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Before joining the Denver Broncos back in 2021, George Paton served in the Minnesota Vikings front office for 14 years under then-GM Rick Spielman. Paton and Spielman are still close friends, which adds a bit more weight to what the ex-Vikings GM said recently about the Broncos' draft strategy.

According to KFAN 100.3's Paul Allenin Minnesota, the Denver Broncos are "so desperate" to land one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL draft class that Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain II would be in the conversation as a trade chip to move up the board.

"They're so desperate out Denver way," Allen said. "I'm not kidding you, man. I wouldn't [be] surprised if it was, 'We want that [No.] 3 [pick] so badly we will give you [pick No.] 12, we will give you next year's first-rounder, and we will give you Patrick Surtain II.' I'm not kidding you. They are that desperate."

According to @PAOnTheMic via @KFAN1003, the #Broncos are "so desperate" to move up for a QB, specifically for J.J. McCarthy, that they could possibly include star CB Patrick Surtain II in the trade. The Broncos could definitely be a threat to the #Vikings 👀

"They're so… pic.twitter.com/a5JIiOuW2K

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) April 11, 2024

What happens next on the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second, sign up for our free newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

Theories surrounding Surtain's availability on the trade block have abounded this offseason, especially relative to draft trade rumors. No Broncos fan wants to see the team trade away Surtain, one of the NFL's best young corners entering just his fourth year.

But placed within the scope of acquiring the most coveted and precious NFL commodity — a franchise quarterback — parting with Surtain would be a relatively small price to pay. That's not to minimize Surtain's talent, impact, or future potential.

But he's been in Denver now three years. How many playoff berths has Surtain helped secure the Broncos?

Think back to Von Miller in the post-Peyton Manning era. The Super Bowl 50 MVP's prodigious future Hall-of-Fame talent did not avail the Broncos in the standings, nor did it vanquish the Kansas City Chiefs, or deliver one playoff berth after Manning road off into the sunset.

The music at the NFL party stops until and unless a franchise quarterback walks through the door. From there, you'd love to have a Surtain around to help bolster and complement a franchise QB, but you can't put the cart before the horse.

Sean Payton knows that. As attached to Surtain as the Broncos might be — he was Paton's first-ever draft pick (No. 9 overall in 2021) as an NFL general manager — Payton isn't likely to let it stand in the way of getting his quarterback.

Let's take Allen's theory and suppose the New England Patriots at No. 3 overall are amenable to a deal with the Broncos, which included the No. 12 overall pick and next year's first, but it took Surtain being included as the cherry on top to get the deal done, I wouldn't think twice about it. If, and only IF, I was convinced that the player I was targeting at No. 3 was a bonafide franchise QB and an excellent fit for my scheme.

That's the caveat. And the rub.

The Broncos have never drafted and developed a franchise quarterback. John Elway doesn't count because he was drafted No. 1 overall by the then-Baltimore Colts and immediately dealt to the Broncos.

Tommy Maddox never panned out, nor did Brian Griese in the long-term. Jay Cutler may have become a bonafide franchise guy if Josh McDaniels hadn't traded him away coming off his Pro Bowl campaign of 2008.

The whirlwind 2011 season with Tim Tebow was fun, but it wasn't built to last. Brock Osweiler botched his chance to become a bonafide franchise guy in the Mile High City, while Paxton Lynch was a colossal swing and a miss. Drew Lock never panned out in Denver for various reasons, despite his talent and tools.

Having tried to replace Manning with veteran options, including big free-agent deals (Case Keenum), journeyman stop-gaps (Brandon Allen, Teddy Bridgewater), and blockbuster trades that cost a king's ransom (Russell Wilson), the time has come for the Broncos to go back to the well, as it were, and find a franchise quarterback the old-fashioned way — in the NFL draft.

Thankfully, the Broncos have the discerning QB eye of Payton to not only help make the right decision, but to develop that player moving forward. It could be worse, Broncos Country.

We could be talking about the Broncos possibly trading multiple first-rounders and Surtain to move up for a quarterback with a head coach like Vic Fangio or Vance Joseph at the helm or, in an alternate football universe, a defensive-minded guy like a Dan Quinn. At least the Broncos have the coaching acumen and expertise to make hay with a highly drafted quarterback, especially if the team trades up.

The NFL draft kicks off on April 25. We'll find out soon whether Allen's take on the Broncos comes out in the wash.

UPDATE: This article incorrectly attributed the above quote to Rick Spielman, instead of Paul Allen.

Follow Mile High Huddle on X and Facebook and subscribe on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!