Denver Broncos general manager George Paton has begun his sixth draft with the team since taking over that position. His drafts, particularly when Sean Payton has been aboard, have been entirely unpredictable.
That was evident last year when the Broncos used their first three picks on players almost no one had connected them to during the pre-draft process, Jahdae Barron, RJ Harvey and Pat Bryant. However, this statistic about how the team views their “Top 30” visits may explain a different approach to the way the team scouts players.
Since Paton became general manager, the only players who have come to Denver on a Top 30 visit that were eventually drafted by the team are Bo Nix, Nik Bonitto and Riley Moss. That would be three out of over 150 total players, translating to an incredibly small percentage.
What is a Top 30 visit?
Teams are allowed the chance to invite up to 30 prospects for a more in-depth look during the pre-draft process. This goes beyond the scouting combine and pro days and gives teams a chance to get to know the player more closely, determine how they can fit into their system, and learn about them on a more personal basis.
However, it seems the Broncos have been using these visits to take a closer look at players they don’t intend to draft and maybe see what it is about them that other teams are looking for. It’s an interesting approach and only Paton and his staff know what the real strategy is.
Denver Broncos’ 2026 Top-30 visits
Who have the Broncos had in for Top 30 visits this year? This might be a better look at players they won’t take, rather than players they could select.
Eli Stowers, TE, VanderbiltJimmy Rolder, LB, MichiganChristen Miller, DT, GeorgiaChris McClellan, DT, MissouriMax Klare, TE, Ohio StateJustin Joly, TE, North Carolina StateJosh Gesky, G, IllinoisKaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCUOmar Cooper, WR, Indiana (Drafted in 1st round, New York Jets)Jonah Coleman, RB, WashingtonNate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&MKaelon Black, RB, IndianaNick Barnett, DT, South Carolina
This is not to say that the Broncos won’t draft any players, but odds are low, given the history of Paton.
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