Denver Broncos: 3 things I like, 3 things I question from 2021 NFL Draft

What I Liked: George Paton’s Confidence and Ability to Maneuver

During his time with the Minnesota Vikings, George Paton and Rick Spielman had been known for their desire and ability to move down the draft board, and acquire more capital. In his first draft as General Manager of the Denver Broncos, Paton showed off his ability to move down, as well as up to pounce on certain targets.

The Denver Broncos moved up to acquire running back Javonte Williams with the 35th overall pick. Paton later stated the move was necessary to acquire Williams, as other teams like the Miami Dolphins had significant interest in Williams.

After selecting Williams, Paton traded back twice with his 3rd round pick to acquire an additional 6th round pick from the New York Giants, and an additional 3rd round pick from the New Orleans Saints.

With his two third-round picks, Paton grabbed a pair of high-upside players in Quinn Meinerz and Baron Browning. The ability to trade up and down throughout the draft and maximize the talent on the board is a key feature that separates Paton from the average first-time General Manager.

Trades will likely be a staple feature of future drafts led by Paton and will help the Denver Broncos add impact players to the roster for years to come. Paton already looks like a seasoned vet in the “trade game”.