The Denver Broncos are approaching a crucial week ahead as general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton tackle the NFL Scouting Combine. Aside from evaluating NFL Draft prospects, they’ll also engage in important discussions with various agents regarding their clients’ free agency statuses.
Denver Broncos tackle the NFL Scouting Combine
This week will be busy for the Denver Broncos as George Paton and Sean Payton alongside a contingent of team brass evaluates various NFL Draft prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Despite not having a first or second-round pick in this year’s upcoming draft, the Broncos will have their eyes on prospective talents ranging from the quarterback, offensive line, running back, defensive back, and linebacker positions.
Between now and then things could change regarding draft capital, but as it stands, they’ll pick 68th and 69th overall. Last year during the combine, Paton initiated discussions with the Seahawks in Indianapolis that ultimately landed them Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade.
The vibe around the Broncos heading into the combine is much different now with Payton as the head coach.
Some of the top players expected to participate in the combine are Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud, Peter Skoronski, an impressive offensive tackle from Northwestern, and Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.
While Denver is unlikely to be in the realm of reaching any of those players, they’ll at least get the chance to interview some of these prospects. More importantly, the Broncos scouting department, Payton, and Paton will have the opportunity to evaluate every player testing from every position in Indianapolis.
One thing for Broncos fans to keep an eye on are the players who test extremely high from a RAS (Relative Athletic Score) perspective. Since Paton’s tenure as the Broncos GM, he’s invested in selecting players who have tested off the charts in terms of their RAS score.
Baron Browning, Quinn Meinerz, and Patrick Surtain II highlight several players currently on the roster who possess the highest RAS score during their initial testing conducted on their Pro Days or at the Combine.
Broncos expected to interact plenty with agents
Not only is the NFL Draft fast approaching, but free agency is right around the corner in just two and a half weeks time. Since returning to Denver following his final obligations with FOX during the Super Bowl, Sean Payton and George Paton have had various discussions regarding their strategy for in-house personnel and prospective free agents.
The Broncos have 24 free agents that will become the key focus of the off-season when the new league year begins on March 15. Agents of these players will be in Indianapolis as their clients’ test at the combine and interview with teams around the league. Conversations about the free agents they represent will also be had.
Dre’Mont Jones will be a priority discussion this week. Denver has until March 7 to place the franchise tag on him or come to terms on an extension that will keep the dominant interior defender with the Broncos long-term. If Denver can’t come to terms on an extension by then, there is a chance they franchise tag him — which gives the team and his representation until the July 15 deadline to piece together an extension.
If that were to happen and Denver and Jones’ representation can’t come to terms on a deal in that scenario, the Broncos would be paying him nearly $20M with the franchise tag. There would be no guarantee Jones would play on the franchise tag — making this week’s conversations even more important going forward.
