The Denver Broncos made several selections in the 2025 NFL Draft that raised some eyebrows. Some of the picks made by the team were classified as “reaches” by those analyzing the process, not agreeing with the approach being taken by George Paton and Sean Payton.
But there was a method to what the team was doing. Tuning out any outside noise, the team picked the players they had the highest on their list. And it appears that one factor may have boosted their ranking on that list… transferring.
The Broncos appear to have selected players who didn’t enter the transfer portal, something hundreds of college athletes take advantage of in today’s game. Payton is looking for players who stick with one program.
Jeff Legwold of ESPN touched on this and had a chance to speak to Payton and ask him about drafting players who had not transferred.
“It’s not by accident. There might be some coincidence in there, but in the overview, it’s not by accident. Not at all.”
That speaks volumes for the kind of players Payton is looking to build with. Players who stick with the team, even when the going gets tough. Transfers in college usually happen due to a player wanting to go to a place where he can win, get more playing time and improve his draft stock. All of those can be seen as selfish reasons.
Payton is not looking for those kinds of players, and that explains why the team drafted RJ Harvey in the second round or Pat Bryant in the third round when many felt that better players were available at running back and wide receiver.
The only player in this year’s draft class who did transfer was seventh-round pick Caleb Lohner, who began his college career at BYU before going to Baylor and then to Utah. But he was mostly a basketball player in college and Payton is looking to use those skills to make him an NFL tight end.
Payton is creating a culture in Denver and he wants players who are going to stick around while the team builds a winner.
MORE BRONCOS CONTENT
Broncos should look to trade these four players before having to cut them
Broncos predicted to make deal that adds former first-round running back to pair with RJ Harvey
Denver Broncos undrafted rookie spotlight: OL Xavier Truss
With several huge decisions to make, one stands out for Denver Broncos
Broncos again predicted to trade Courtland Sutton, but here’s why that won’t happen
