The Denver Broncos are making the rounds this offseason in preparation for the 2024 draft, keeping an eye on prospects throughout the country as pro days take place.
Scouts from Denver attended the pro days of Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and his USC counterpart, Caleb Williams. There were other prospects present, but the quarterbacks were undoubtedly the main attraction.
The Broncos increased their involvement in Michigan’s pro day, however.
Reese’s Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy provided a list of attendees during the glorified workout, which included none other than Broncos general manager George Paton.
Paton was one of nine general managers in attendance, but his presence stood out when compared to Nix and Williams’ prior two exhibitions. It also fits into a pattern of potential interest in McCarthy, particularly from Paton.
Paton said that he plans to meet with McCarthy at the scouting combine in February.
“It was awesome,” McCarthy told reporters on March 1 about the meeting. “Coach Payton’s energy, coach Davis Webb, and coach Joe Lombardi. It was absolutely fantastic to be in that room with them and go through tape. It was a really wonderful time, so it was a blessing to be able to pick their brains a little bit and have them ask me questions all the time. And, yes, I really enjoyed it.”
When asked what he felt about playing for Payton, specifically if the Broncos drafted him, McCarthy referenced their similar midwestern roots.
“Fellow Illinois guy, absolutely it would be an honor to play for him,” he remarked. “Just everything about this process has been so great, and any team who selects me, it would be an honor.”
McCarthy has garnered comparisons to former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, with the added benefit of superior athleticism for the position.
This makes the absence of major Broncos figures all the more noticeable.
Sean Payton’s absence could telegraph the Broncos’ draft plans.
If their attendance record reveals anything, it’s that Payton has yet to fall in love with any of the prospects, at least not enough to attend Nix or Williams’ pro days. He stated on “Up & Adams” on February 9 that he hoped to do so at every position.
The latter might be the Broncos embracing the fact that the Chicago Bears are virtually certain to draft Williams.
Payton has previously praised Williams as a possibility.
Paton was motivated enough to see McCarthy in person after missing Nix and Williams’ pro days. It could also be an issue of proximity, since Nix, Williams, and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. all play significantly closer to home.
Nonetheless, McCarthy’s championship background and the high acclaim he has received during the pre-selection process make him a name to watch as the draft approaches (April 25).
Penix’s pro day is scheduled for March 28, the same day as North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
It will be interesting to see who the Broncos send to each showcase, assuming they send anyone at all. Their recent transaction, which sent Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns, could position them to make a splash.
Broncos scout more than just quarterbacks at Michigan Pro Day.
Paton was not the only one in Ann Arbor to watch the draft possibilities. Broncos staff members joined him to see the Wolverines’ offensive lineman.
Michigan had six offensive linemen in attendance for the exercise. Karsen Barnhart, LaDarius Henderson, Trente Jones, Trevor Keegan, Drake Nugent, and Zak Zinter might all have their names called during the draft.
Pro Football Focus predicts that they will all be Day 3 choices.
Because the Broncos lack a second-round pick, this could work to their advantage. They only have one pick among the top 50 in the draft. They could get even less if they trade up for a quarterback.
Leave a Reply