“There’s a mental toughness element, and that’s important. Having to fight through and focus during install in the heat.” – Sean Payton, casually described Denver’s offseason like a guy who just survived a Squid Game obstacle course. Let’s paint the picture: It’s April 2025, and the Denver Broncos are stuck in a Groundhog Day loop. Their run game last season? Let’s just say it had all the spark of a wet firework. Despite boasting the NFL’s best run-blocking O-line (74.9% win rate), they ranked ninth-worst in yards over expected per rush (-0.06).

Translation? Their ground attack was like a Tesla with a gas engine—theoretically brilliant, practically a hot mess. Enter GM George Paton, a man so obsessed with fixing this RB riddle he’d probably draft a running back in his sleep. But HC Payton? He’s over here playing 4D chess, whispering, ‘Keep calm and don’t trade the farm.’

Sean Payton: The anti-panic artist

Picture this: The Broncos own the No. 20 pick in a draft dripping with RB talent. Names like Ashton Jeanty (Boise State’s human cheat code), TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State’s pass-pro savant), and Cam Skattebo (Arizona State’s Swiss Army knife) are lighting up boards. But Payton, the guy who turned Alvin Kamara into a Madden glitch, isn’t biting the “Trade Up!” bait. “It’s a pretty good draft for running backs,” he shrugs, cool as a cucumber in a walk-in freezer.

But let’s talk Jeanty. The Boise State phenom rushed for 2,601 yards in 2024—28 shy of Barry Sanders’s record—and broke tackles like he was playing NBA Jam (“He’s on fire!”). His NIL game? A cool $1.6M, including a SAXX Underwear collab that dubbed him ‘Thighs-man.’ Yet, Paton’s stuck at No. 20, staring at Mel Kiper’s big board like it’s a mirage. “The Broncos are not trading into the top 10/up for a RB. They didn’t budge for a QB last year and they knew the guy they wanted. Side note: no one is moving from the 20s into the top 10 without giving up their 1st this year & their 1st next year and more. Stop the silliness,” tweeted insider Benjamin Allbright, shutting down trade-up rumors faster than a Game of Thrones fan cancelling HBO.

Anyway, why the chill? Let’s rewind to 2024. Denver’s RB room was a revolving door of ‘meh.’ Javonte Williams? Solid, but averaging 3.7 yards per carry—yikes. Now he’s gone, leaving a gap wider than the Grand Canyon.

But Payton’s seen this movie before. In New Orleans, he turned late-round picks (Pierre Thomas, seventh round; Kamara, third) into legends. His philosophy? “Every little detail matters.” Translation: Why panic-draft Jeanty at No. 8 when you can snag a gem at No. 51?

Meanwhile, Paton’s drafting playbook reads like a rom-com script. He’s hellbent on finding “the one”—a back who can turn Denver’s “run block win rate” flex into actual yards. At the combine, he lingered like a smitten teen after Dylan Sampson and Trevor Etienne’s workouts. And Skattebo? The kid’s got Paton’s heart racing. “Route running, catching the ball, and then proving that I can pass block,” Skattebo said, sounding like a Tinder bio designed for Payton’s offense.

Payton draft board’s “different flavors”: RB buffet or bargain bin?

Payton’s Saints DNA demands versatility. Kamara? 40+ receptions in six seasons. Reggie Bush? A human highlight reel. In fact, Denver’s new RB doesn’t need to be them—just channel them. Enter Henderson, a pass-protecting beast, or Sampson, who dropped 1,491 yards and 22 TDs at Tennessee like it was casual. Even Skattebo, with his 1,711 rushing yards and 45 catches, screams “Payton-approved.”

But here’s the rub: This draft’s RB depth is good. “You can get a backup in the second round up and all the way to the sixth round,” Paton admits, sounding like a kid in a candy store with a $20 bill. So why force a move? The Broncos’ 2024 playoff drought wasn’t for lack of trying—it was a lack of identity. Payton’s playing the long game, betting that patience, not panic, will revive Mile High magic.

The Verdict: Symphony or Sideshow? After all, this isn’t just about RBs—it’s about rhythm. Payton’s orchestrating a comeback tour, blending Paton’s draft-day zeal with cold, hard logic. “Work harder, go harder,” Jeanty said after his Heisman snub, and Denver’s taking notes. The Broncos’ 2025 draft isn’t a Hail Mary—it’s a chess move.

So grab your popcorn, Broncos Country. This isn’t The Hunger Games; indeed, it’s Moneyball with cleats. And remember: In the NFL, the best picks aren’t always the loudest—they’re the ones who fit. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’ll be refreshing Twitter… for science.