Paton drafts above-average athletes (avg 56th percentile)
The Broncos front office under George Paton represents one of the NFL's most successful rebuilds, transforming from eight-year playoff drought to 2024 postseason return. Paton's 29-year personnel background and Minnesota Vikings pedigree have proven invaluable - his second-day draft acumen (Bonitto, Mims, Meinerz) rivals any GM in football. The 2025 front office restructure after losing AGM Darren Mougey (now Jets GM) and director Brian Stark (now Raiders AGM) has actually strengthened the department through strategic promotions and external hires. Reed Burckhardt's promotion to AGM maintains the crucial Paton-Minnesota connection (16 years working together). The dual Co-Director structure with A.J. Durso (13 years with Broncos, 21 NFL seasons) and Cam Williams (Patriots Super Bowl experience) provides both institutional knowledge and fresh perspective. Jordon Dizon's return as Director of Pro Personnel - bringing Super Bowl LIX championship experience from Philadelphia - is a coup. The scouting department features extraordinary tenure: Scott DiStefano (45 seasons, longest in NFL), Dave Bratten (27 years), Eugene Armstrong (19 years), Nick Schiralli (18 years). Former NFL players Roman Phifer (3x Super Bowl champion LB) and Jordon Dizon (Colorado All-American, Lions 2nd round pick) provide elite player evaluation perspective. The Paton-Payton partnership has evolved into genuine collaboration after initial skepticism. Concerns: depth after departures (Mougey, Stark, Thewes, Shaw all hired away), heavy reliance on internal promotions, and AFC West remains brutally competitive. If Bo Nix continues ascending and Surtain stays healthy, this front office has positioned Denver as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.