Mile High Monday: Is George Paton a “best player available” type of GM?

The Denver Broncos are in position to take the best player available in the 2021 NFL dDaft. General manager George Paton said as much in the most recent episode of “Behind the Broncos.” The series is subtitled “No Shortcuts” and it is a pretty good watch.

I like the feeling of anticipation with the draft coming up. These little behind-the-scenes looks we get inside the Broncos front office only helps build that anticipation.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

***

Who is BPA?

If Paton is truly a “BPA” type of general manager, then that player may shock some fans. This draft class features one quarterback (Trevor Lawrence) who should be a top-five pick, but I don’t have another quarterback graded as a top-10 pick.

Now, there could be as many as five quarterbacks selected with top-10 picks, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best player available. It only means the NFL is a quarterback-desperate league.

Truly going with the best player available at No. 9 overall means the Broncos need to be considering all possibilities, even at positions they are already strong at. Even though it would be a huge surprise – and would be met with huge backlash – that even means that a wide receiver or tight end could be considerations in the first round. Jerry Jeudy and Noah Fant are great, and both recent first-round picks, but if Paton is truly “BPA” then he might be adding competition to those talent-rich rooms.

“If this guy becomes available … “

Watch Episode 2 of #𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐬: 𝐍𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐬 NOW » https://t.co/qTQFKfTMU7 pic.twitter.com/wuZFiv2D8X

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 10, 2021

So, which way are the Broncos going to go in the draft? As we sit only a couple of weeks away, I’d say it’s a good chance they move up. A team makes a move like that for a quarterback – and unless that’s Lawrence then that passer is not the “BPA.” We’ll see if Paton is truly “BPA” or if he is more of a “BPA… for team needs” type of guy.

***

Broncos a Super Bowl Contender?

The Broncos have been one of the worst teams in the NFL since Super Bowl 50. It has been five seasons of football that is nowhere near the standard the Broncos have had for decades. Since Pat Bowlen purchased this team in the mid-1980s, the Broncos have regularly been in the playoff conversation – and many times the team was in the hunt for a Super Bowl title. That hasn’t been the case recently as the Broncos are now a bottom-feeder in the NFL.

Pro Football Focus analyst George Chahrouri recently said that if the Broncos “hit” on their quarterback selection in the draft, then they would be a Super Bowl contender. Chahrouri’s main argument to make that case was about the strength of the Broncos defense.

On paper, the Broncos look to have the makings of a top-five defense is everyone stays healthy. If they can get a quarterback to run the offense properly – and even make them dangerous on offense – then perhaps a Super Bowl contender could be made.

"If you hit, you're a Super Bowl contender."

The Broncos need to trade up and secure their franchise QB👀 pic.twitter.com/S0uF7S2Jge

— PFF (@PFF) April 8, 2021

It’s wild to think the Broncos can turn things around that quickly, but stranger things have happened. I believe if the Broncos “hit” on a quarterback (or if Drew Lock plays better), then perhaps the team could reach the expanded playoffs. A wild card berth for the Broncos in 2021 would not surprise me, but a run to the Super Bowl would be something nobody would be predicting – except for Chahrouri.

***

Simply The Best

The best draft guide money can buy came out this week courtesy of Dane Brugler from The Athletic. I’ve known Brugler for over a decade, and I rarely see someone work as hard as he did in order to rise up the ranks in the media. Those in the know really believe in Brugler’s eye for talent, and he’s spent years studying football from some of the greatest scouting minds out there, like Gil Brandt and C.O. Brocato.

I don’t read much draft coverage from other analysts out there – especially when I am putting together my own grades and own reports on the upcoming class. Once my work is done, I enjoy comparing what I’ve seen to the likes of Brugler, Matt Waldman (Rookie Scouting Portfolio), Lance Zierlein (NFL.com) and a few others.

It’s interesting to compare notes in person with these great minds, as well. Brugler is a dear friend, and his work ethic and scouting acumen is nearly unmatched in the media. He spends months putting together his draft guide, dubbed “The Beast,” and you can tell as soon as you see the depth of research in the book.

The 2021 NFL Draft Guide is now available.#TheBeast https://t.co/ORSjP0HJ9j

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 7, 2021

I urge everyone who loves the NFL draft to check out Brugler’s work. Reading Brugler will make you a better fan, and it certainly will help you be more knowledgeable when it comes to the game of football and what one should watch for when scouting prospects.

***

Changed the Game

The comic book world was changed forever when Frank Miller released “The Dark Knight Returns” back in 1986. It was a four-issue comic book miniseries that took Batman in a direction never before seen. The first version of Batman was a bit dark, but in the 1960s, he was turned into a campy character played by Adam West on TV. That Batman was the one most thought of before Miller changed the game.

Miller made Batman gritty – really gritty – with this series that was not intended for children. TDKR went into the future with Bruce Wayne and examined how Gotham City had changed since he retired as The Dark Knight. He comes out of retirement to once again take on The Joker, battles with Superman – even beating him powered by a super suit – and faked his own death. It was a groundbreaking series, and Batman has been a darker character since then.

They’ve done an animated feature of this graphic novel, but a live-action version would be fantastic. Yes, “The Dark Knight” was a film by Christopher Nolan that did take some beats from Miller’s work, but it is far from a true adaptation. If you love comic books and Batman, then check out this classic. If you already know and love this work, do yourself a favor and revisit the story by re-reading it or watching the animated feature.

Just as this issue concludes the original "The Dark Knight Returns" miniseries, today concludes our 35th anniversary TDKR signing with Frank Miller and Klaus Janson. We had awesome books come in for the signing, and it was a blast having Miller and Janson at CGC headquarters! pic.twitter.com/eMm4osWFcV

— CGC Comics (@CGCComics) April 11, 2021

Have you read this graphic novel? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Hit me up on social media and let me know!

Follow @CecilLammey