The Denver Broncos filled their biggest offseason need by sending out their first round pick, plus more, in exchange for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The trade left Denver with just one pick in the top 100 (pick 62).
General manager George Paton said Thursday that the Broncos’ roster allowed him to safely acquire Waddle in the top two 100 picks because Denver didn’t see any rookies who could step in and contribute right away, given the current roster configuration.
“We like to focus on good players and maybe they lack a little polish and it’s going to take some development,” Paton said, via Mike Klis of 9News. “Sure, we want somebody to come in and start right away, but that’s not always realistic for the first, second (round), no matter where they’re drafted. It’s just tough. And with the way our team is built right now, it’s going to be tough to come in and start Day 1.”
Denver boasts the most consistent starting lineup in the league as we sit in April, and wouldn’t expect a rookie taken with the 30th pick to outperform the veteran at that spot. Just like a year ago, when 2025 first-round pick Jahdae Barron played roughly 30% of the snaps last year behind nickel Ja’Quan McMillian
Given the composition of their roster, Waddle was worth more in the short term than any player they would have signed in his 30s.
The Broncos are getting a little used to managing without a first-round pick. The club has traded away four first-rounders in the past five drafts: Traded first in 2022 and 2023 for Russell Wilson; traded second in 2023 first for the right to draft Sean Payton; trade 2026 first for Waddle.
With their first pick not coming until well into the second round, don’t expect Paton to try to jump back into Day 1.
“It’s unlikely,” Paton said. “It would take quite a stretch to get up there. Most of our draft picks we would have to trade. I would say it’s unlikely but we could definitely move up in the second.”
The GM said the Broncos brass are focused on a group of players they expect to be available to them in the second round.
“There’s six players we’re focusing on who could be there 62,” Paton said. “We feel good about these players. We’re going to continue to work through them.”
With one pick before Day 3, the Broncos’ draft will be all about finding depth players who can develop into future playmakers. That doesn’t mean injuries or circumstances won’t push a few first-year players into key roles, but it’s a luxury to know they’re not relying on rookies to play right away.