After making several key moves, George Paton has the Denver Broncos right back in the thick of things and ready for a Super Bowl run.
Since George Paton accepted the role of becoming the Denver Broncos General Manager, the outlook of the franchise has changed immensely, for the better.
What a revelation George Paton has been for the Denver Broncos, honestly.
While some are a bit uncomfortable with the moves or lack thereof during free agency, George Paton has earned my trust in his decision-making process. Maybe that means something to you, maybe it doesn’t.
However, since Paton has arrived at Dove Valley, he had made some fantastic decisions in acquiring certain players, letting go of certain players, and even doing the same with his staff. Most importantly, George Paton traded for the franchise quarterback the Denver Broncos were so desperate to have, Russell Wilson.
Paton does not make moves for the condensed-minded. His decisions always seem to be one step ahead of where the popular opinion stands. He does not panic into making irrational decisions and he was not going to accept mediocrity at the quarterback position.
His 2021 draft class was voted by Inside The League as the best draft class on March 2nd.
Since becoming the General Manager of the Denver Broncos, the roster for the Broncos has been completely revamped and backed with talent and leadership. Whether it was via free agency, trading for, or drafting, Paton has made some notable moves including:
- Selecting Patrick Surtain II over the quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft class
- Traded up in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL Draft to select Javonte Williams
- Selected a rising star in Quinn Meinerz from a division three school
- Added athletic hybrid linebacker, Baron Browning
- Extended Justin Simmons, Courtland Sutton, and Tim Patrick on fantastic deals considering what the market is at those positions.
- Extended Shelby Harris, which turned out to have value as he was the piece the Seattle Seahawks wanted instead of Bradley Chubb.
- Traded perennial face of the franchise in Von Miller and entrusted the team in Justin Simmons’ hands.
- Signed Randy Gregory to a contract that looks like a bargain compared to Von Miller or Chandler Jones.
- Brining back smart inside linebacker, Josey Jewell.
- Along with all of these moves, George Paton has addressed every weakness and went as far as doubling up at these positions to ensure they do not hamper the team’s production.
For the people who question George Paton’s approach, it is important to step back and think big picture with George Paton and his decision making.
Some of the free agent additions this offseason have been head-scratchers for some, heck, I even found myself saying what in the world at times. That is from narrow-minded thinking.
Ben Braden for example, probably isn’t going to be a super-effective player from a production standpoint, but he does bring experience of what new Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett wants to run and can be a player who helps coach the players as they gel into an offense that flashes more outside zone that the previous regimes power gap.
While it is doubtful that Braden makes an impact with his play, it is very likely that he impacts the players around him like Garrett Bolles who may need some extra advice in learning a new scheme.
Former tackle of the San Francisco 49ers Tom Compton was also brought in recently to provide depth and competition at the right tackle potion. Compton is a strong presence in run blocking, but could improve his pass blocking skills, but nevertheless, a guy from the Kyle Shanahan tree who brings knowledge of how to block this sort of system.
Another area of weakness last season was the overall blocking from the tight end position. After trading Noah Fant to the Seattle Seahawks, the Denver Broncos do have room for improvement here. Paton has added one body already, in a relatively weak run-blocking tight end class, Eric Tomlinson brings that nastiness to the Denver Broncos tight end room.
A.J. Schulte brought something to light that made me love this signing from George Paton, Tomlinson was graded as the league’s second-best run-blocking tight end in the entire NFL last season and the 23rd best pass protection.
His receiving capabilities are “meh” to say the least, but the first year that Nathaniel Hackett takes over play-calling duties at any stop, that team has led the league n rushing attempts. How could the Denver Broncos improve their rushing attack?
By adding one of the league’s best blocking tight ends, a player to help coach the players the new system, and adding a right tackle who has followed Kyle Shanahan around to play with him for three different originations, the Washington then Reskins in 2013, Atlanta Falcons in 2016 and the San Francisco 49ers the past two seasons.
Last season the Denver Broncos struggled to stop the run, remember the D’Ernest Johnson game? Sure you do, we all do. George Paton remembered, so he went out and signed defensive lineman D.J. Jones who had the third-highest run stuff rate from an interior defensive lineman since 2016 at 6.6%, per NFL next gen stats.
D.J. Jones is a space-eater and a powerful human being, just ask the new quarterback of the Denver Broncos, Russell Wilson who has seen it up close and personal.
Highly debated Randy Gregory is now a Denver Bronco also. Although he has only played in 50 total games since 2015, missing more than he has played due to suspension and some minor injuries, this could end up being a plus for the Denver Broncos.
At just 29 years old, Gregory should have major tread left on his tires, even more so considering how much time he has missed. Gregory had some fantastic games last season, altering the outcome in a few. This move is a risky one, but maybe not as much as some of us have made it out to be with the updated CBA rules on marijuana testing.
At most, Gregory would face a three-game suspension without pay if he fails to comply with league rules. His former teammates rave about him, people close to him note how mature he has become and it was evident last year with him being a member of the Dallas Cowboys leadership counsel.
No doubt about it, when this move happened, I was not thrilled. After stepping back, hearing some stories like the one from Patrick Walker, who works with the Dallas Cowboys, how Gregory took on a job at an Amazon Distribution Center just to keep his mind busy, I really started to understand who and what Gregory could be.
With outstanding length and powerful strength, Gregory creates turnovers, will bull you over if you let him inside of your chest plate and Gregory can clog passing lanes with his wingspan. His willingness to grow is something I admire, his potential could produce an incredible reward, but there will always be a slight gamble, but I have come around to this gamble taken by George Paton.
All of this said, the Denver Broncos still have five picks within the first 116 picks of the 2022 NFL Draft for George Paton to work with. There will still be another free agent addition to the cornerback room to bolster that unit also.
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton continues to make big-brain decisions that are sometimes too far ahead for some to grasp immediately. His willingness to be in on every deal has the Denver Broncos on track to be in the mix of not just the best team in the AFC, but the entire NFL.
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Broncos Country is in good hands with George Paton, just stay patient as he continues to correct the previous wrongdoings and enjoy the upcoming success. There will be a Lombardi hoisted by George Paton at some point, maybe even within the next few years.