When George Paton signed his new contract as General Manager of the Denver Broncos, the debate was immediate: Did he truly deserve it? Since taking the reins ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, Paton has overseen five seasons and six drafts. The numbers tell a story of steady progress. The Broncos hold a 44-41 regular-season record with a 1-2 postseason mark during his tenure. But dig a little deeper, and the narrative shifts. Over the past two seasons, with Bo Nix under center, Denver has played 14 games above .500. That’s the kind of momentum that turns heads.
Team wins are one way to measure a GM, but the draft is where reputations are truly forged. So, how has Paton performed in his first five drafts at the helm? Let’s break it down.
Excluding the 2026 class—too early to judge—here’s what the numbers show, courtesy of Pro Football Reference. Remarkably, only two selections have failed to make an NFL roster so far: Nick Garguilo and Caleb Lohner. Both spent last season on Denver’s practice squad, not quite busts, but not yet contributors either.
To put that in perspective, consider this: From 1993 to 2007, an average of 30 draft picks per year never played a single NFL snap. Then, something shifted around 2008. Since then, that average has dropped to just seven. The theory? A dominant team changed how the league approached the draft, and the NFL—being a copycat league—followed suit. Teams got smarter, duds became rarer, and when they did happen, they typically came later in the draft. What’s your take? We’d love to hear your theories in the comments.
To illustrate the shift, look at the highest-drafted player this century who never played a game. Only two teams have three such names on that list: the Broncos and the Vikings. Here’s a quick snapshot:
Draft Year | Round | Pick | Team | Player | POS
2000 | 2 | 56 | MIN | Michael Boireau | DE
2001 | 2 | 51 | DEN | Paul Toviessi | DE
2002 | 3 | 86 | TAM | Marquis Walker | WR
2003 | 4 | 128 | DEN | [Player Name] | [Position]
Paton’s track record suggests he’s learned from history. With Bo Nix leading the charge and a draft strategy that’s minimizing misses, the Broncos are building something worth watching. Whether you’re a fan or just love the game, this is a story of smart football—and that’s always in style.