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Grading George Paton’s first year as Broncos GM

By Travis Wakeman

Oct 31, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos general manager George Paton before the game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos general manager George Paton before the game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos, Baron Browning
Dec 28, 2019; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Baron Browning (5) prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl college football playoff semifinal game. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Broncos 2021 NFL Draft

There is a lot to get into here.

Of course, the Broncos started the draft off by sending a sixth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for Teddy Bridgewater. This was sold as a move to create competition for Drew Lock, but it never really seemed like true competition.

The Broncos had their quarterback and as a result, Paton navigated through the draft by not even looking at quarterbacks, including the move to pass on Justin Fields in the first round, a move that quickly drew the ire of Broncos Country.

Of course, the move that I still haven’t let him off the hook for was passing on Micah Parsons with the No. 9 overall pick. Leading into the draft, that was the player I was practically begging him to select. It worked out pretty well for the Dallas Cowboys, who did select him.

That being said, it’s hard to argue with the results of Paton’s draft class.

First-round pick Patrick Surtain looks like a future star, as does running back Javonte Williams. Baron Browning and Quinn Meinerz both look to be huge future contributors and Caden Sterns and Jonathon Cooper provided excellent value in later rounds.

Paton knocked it out of the park with this draft.

Grade: A-

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