Broncos GM George Paton Discusses Quest for a ‘Loch Ness Monster’
The Denver Broncos’ search for a versatile offensive weapon has taken on almost mythical proportions.
Where will the Broncos find Sean Payton’s elusive “joker” for his offense? At the NFL Scouting Combine, both Payton and Broncos GM George Paton discussed how finding this rare playmaker is more difficult than it may seem.
True “jokers” in the NFL are incredibly rare. If they were easy to find, every team would have one.
Paton joked about the search for a “joker,” likening it to hunting for the Loch Ness Monster, acknowledging that while this year’s free-agent and draft classes feature many talented running backs, few possess the potential to meet the “joker” criteria.
“I know we’re searching for the ‘Joker.’ It’s kind of like the Loch Ness Monster of trying to find a ‘Joker’ (laughs),” Paton said. “I’ve played against Sean’s teams that have had them, and they’re a nightmare. So, there are a lot of good running backs this year, and it might be a good year to go after one.”
Paton elaborated on what makes a “joker,” whether they’re a running back, tight end, or certain wide receivers.
“They’re mismatched players. They’re hard to find,” Paton said. “Whether it’s a receiver, tight end, or running back, these are guys who can stress the defense in various ways, and you can’t just cover them with one defender.”
Paton reiterated that such players are rare.
“There aren’t many of those guys in the league. You can count them on one hand. It’s a unique player, and we’re always looking, and we’ll find one eventually,” Paton said.
It’s important to note that this “mismatch” player doesn’t necessarily need to be a tight end or running back, despite the focus on those positions by Broncos fans. A wide receiver can also be a “joker,” and there are examples of such players in the NFL.
The Broncos hold the 20th overall pick in the NFL draft, and there are several candidates who could fit the bill as a “joker.” Top tight ends include Tyler Warren (Penn State) and Colston Loveland (Michigan), while running back Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) and wide receivers like Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Luther Burden III (Missouri), and Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) could also be potential “jokers.”
While not all of these players are guaranteed to be “jokers,” they do possess the traits that could create a mismatch. Paton hopes to have several viable options when the Broncos are on the clock at pick No. 20.
“Hopefully, there will be four players available at No. 20. We’re still learning about these players, but I don’t think there’s a huge difference between the players at No. 10 and No. 20. We feel like we can sit at No. 20 and still get a quality player,” Paton said.
Could any of the four players mentioned be the “joker” the Broncos are searching for?
What sets these players apart is their ability to create mismatches. The Broncos will likely have all of them on their radar as they look to improve their offense.
This week at the combine is crucial for answering some of the Broncos’ questions. Through drills, medical evaluations, and interviews, they can gather valuable insights. One of their 45 formal interviews will reportedly be with Jeanty.
Finding that mythical “Loch Ness Monster” at pick No. 20 won’t be easy. If the Broncos believe a player’s value at No. 10 is similar to that at No. 20, it could make trading up more complicated.
Ultimately, the Broncos will need to identify a player who can be the “joker” the offense desperately needs to become a more consistent threat. However, as Paton emphasized, it’s not going to be an easy task.
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