Sean Payton loves 'best player available' approach for NFL draft
"We never get to live in a perfect world, but you’d always love to be drafting the best player [available]," Broncos coach Sean Payton said.
Each offseason, the Denver Broncos compile a list of three categories of needs. Speaking at the NFL's annual league meeting last month, Broncos coach Sean Payton said the team ranks musts, needs and wants each year. Denver then looks ahead to what's available in the NFL draft before forming a plan for free agency.
"Then [we] begin to look at, ‘Where is the best way to address this must? In the draft or in free agency? ’" Payton said.
After the bulk of free agency, the Broncos return to their draft board. In an ideal world, Denver will already have the biggest roster needs filled before the draft, allowing them to select the best player available at each pick instead of reaching for position needs. "And look, we never get to live in a perfect world, but you’d always love to be drafting the best player," Payton said.
"Sometimes — there are a lot of times where that can happen. " Following the Jaylen Waddle trade last month, Denver holds seven picks in the 2026 NFL draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25. Social : Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X !