Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos WILL TAKE RB In 2025 NFL Draft | WR A Better Round 1 Value?

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Denver Broncos are going to take a running back in a 20-25 NFL draft, but we don't know where that's going to be. We're going to debate and discuss George Payton's comments at the NFL annual meeting here on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos. You are Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. What's happy at Broncos country. Welcome into another episode, Lockdown Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the

Starting point is 00:00:33 Lockdown Podcast Network where you know it is, your team every day. Thank you so much to the everydayers out there in Broncos country. Thanks for those who make us your first listen. And if you're not yet in every day, it's so easy to become one because all you had to do is hit that subscribe or that follow button wherever you're at. So you never miss out on your favorite coverage analysis, breakdowns and more here on lockdown Broncos. I'm your host. As always, Cody Rourke, Mile High Sports beat reporter covering the Broncos in person daily. You could check out my written work over there at Milehysports.com. You can check out Sarah Bedinger, site expert,

Starting point is 00:01:05 over there, predominantly orange.com, his written work over there every single day. Plus, you get us every single day here on the podcast. Broncos country, we appreciate you so much for tuning in here today. We've got a lot to break down and a lot to talk about here. We'll wrap up today's show by talking about why Sean Payton is not in favor of the new playoff reseeding proposal at the NFL annual meeting. We'll look at the pros and cons of that. We'll also tell you why the Broncos and Marvin Mims are set up for success in the kick

Starting point is 00:01:31 return game here in 2025, but we're going to kick things off on today's episode show by going over what George Payton said when he met with the media at the NFL annual meeting talking about the Broncos taking a running back in the NFL draft, which is going to happen. I mean, Sarah, really, that kind of sets it up for you. Obviously, George Payton coming out there. And, you know, usually like this time of year, everything, you're paying attention to what coaches are saying.

Starting point is 00:01:55 You're paying attention to what GMs are saying. And sometimes you're trying to decipher what is coach speak or GM speak, what smoke and mirrors. Really for the Broncos, doesn't seem like there is. smoke and mirrors. They plan to take a running back, but he didn't indicate if it was going to be round one, but just said that they do plan on taking a back. So this could mean a multitude of anything here for the running back position, which is why I think the transparency is kind of fun in this case, because it creates more confusion than anything else, right? It's like, well, obviously,

Starting point is 00:02:25 everybody knows you're taking a running back. So you might as well just say it. And then it causes like, well, where are they going to take one? Because then George Peyton said something about how you can find basically starting caliber guys in this draft from rounds two to six, which we know the Broncos have the majority of their picks, obviously, in those handful of rounds there. So it's a deep class and they're doing their homework. I think that they're going to make every effort to find that guy that's going to be able to come in and be the next, you know, Reggie Bush, Alvin Camara, Darren Sprouls in Sean Payton's offense. A running back one is needed for this team. It's not just a, you know, the, the bell cow. We go back to Sean Payton's comments from

Starting point is 00:03:07 earlier in the offseason about how it's not really the way of things is the bell cow, right? It's, it's the committee approach. And that's what he's always had. But that doesn't mean that there won't be a back that's taking the lion's share of touches at the position. There's, there's a Mark Ingram for every Reggie Bush, you know, or whatever analogy you want to use it, Pierre Thomas, or whatever the case may be. And I think the Broncos have those types of guys, around like there can be change of pace guys there's audrick estimate can be your big physical guy who's going to be the person that you turn to the person that you kind of flow the offense through i do think one of the top two picks the broncos make cody is going to be a running back but

Starting point is 00:03:47 at the same time if you feel like you can get a second round guy in round three i mean you never know the broncos i don't think they're going to draft that position just for the sake of doing i think it has to be the right player yeah no i agree i think it has to be the right player has to be the right player to be the right fit for what you want to do from a team standpoint, your offensive scheme. But also, I think when you look at what George said, you listen to what Sean Payton said. I mean, they didn't shy away from talking about how they view this year's running back class. Like there are a lot of backs in this class. The depth is very good here.

Starting point is 00:04:18 You can get a very good player at this position here. And he kind of compared it as like, you look at the running back class. It might be easier to find a running back than it is to find, you know, a quarterback or a linebacker or, you know, certain positions there. And Sean made it kind of a point. to highlight that. So I found that to be interesting. As we know, the Broncos already have four running backs on the roster as is. And there's always a chance to take a sign of veteran guy, but they were very clear. Like Sean said we felt like this year's free agent running back class was very thin. So they

Starting point is 00:04:46 weren't looking for any used car options at this point. So that is an exciting element to maybe understand there. So while they do plan to take a running back, you know, it remains to be seen. It's going to be round number one. It's going to be round two. Like is the rounds two through six comment by George Payton is that smoke screen and that's really where they're leaning here in round one. I'm very curious here. But I wanted to get into another discussion because I feel like this is a great thing. You just did a mock draft. I mean, you reacted to a mock draft that someone of Broncos country sent in two weeks

Starting point is 00:05:14 ago, you and I did a mock draft together where we selected a mecca, Igbukah from Ohio State at wide receiver. Obviously, tight in, wide receiver running back. You talk about that triangle that Sean Payton was talking about in terms of having an effective passing offense here. I look at it from this standpoint here in round one, Sarah, and I want to open up this conversation with you because I asked Broncos country, between tight end, running back, wide receiver,

Starting point is 00:05:38 if you go with any of those positions in round one, you're guaranteed to get that fifth year option as a possibility, right? What position probably has the most value for having that fifth year option out of those pieces? I asked Broncos country in a poll, 64% said wide receiver, 31% said running back, and surprisingly, in my opinion, I felt like this was a shocker. 5% said tight in in terms of there being value.

Starting point is 00:06:02 For me, I think wide receivers definitely got the more inherent value here. And if the Broncos were looking to maybe have that benefit as to what they do in round one of the draft, I would rather them take a receiver in round one and go running back in round number two. What is your thoughts on this? Where would you prefer to have that fifth year option as a flexibility point? Because really, when you think about it, that'll come in handy, especially as you get ready to pay Bow Nix, if you do go with one of these positions.

Starting point is 00:06:29 It's 100% wide receiver. Just look at the difference in pay scale for Jamar Chase and Saquan Barclay, two of the best set their position in the NFL right now. I mean, it's nearly double, right? Or more than double in that case. And so that fifth year option looms large at definitely certain positions, which is why you oftentimes will see those premium positions selected in round one and other guys falling.

Starting point is 00:06:53 Like you don't see a lot of off ball linebackers taken in round one. You don't see a lot of safeties taken in round one these days because those guys are not getting paid as much as corners, pass rushers, interior defensive line and wide receivers, quarterbacks. Those are the premium positions in the NFL today. And those are the positions that are getting paid so much money that it makes the most sense to take advantage of the fifth year option. But at the same time, we're now seeing a trend in the NFL to where that fifth year option is almost just like a, hey, the fifth year option is looming. you guys can go ahead and pick it up, but it's probably going to get shredded anyway when we do a contract extension, right? And so it's really just a means to, I don't know if it's no end or what it is, but certainly the wide receiver position is where it's more valuable in terms of the price for the player if it works out, right? If it works out as you expect when you take a first round player, that person gets to the end of their first contract.

Starting point is 00:07:50 And it's like, all right, you know, we've got this guy way out playing his contract status at this point. and then you can kind of play the game. But I just think that you're right. It's one of those premium positions makes way more sense from a financial standpoint long term than does a running back right now. And it might come down to that. Is it instant gratification with this pick? Like, are you looking to fill your starting lineup as quickly as possible? Or are you really trying to get the best bang for your buck and the best player on your board?

Starting point is 00:08:22 Those all have to fit into the same, like it's like a Venn diagram. right? You're looking for the perfect combination. Like where do all three of those worlds perfectly intersect? Well, Sean Payton made a great analogy that. He said it's all got to like click together essentially for, you know, what we did in free agency and how it marries up to what we do from a strategy standpoint in the NFL draft. And look, this is where, I mean, obviously I would love a Marion Hampton, you know,

Starting point is 00:08:46 in round number one here for the Broncos. I'm not saying I don't want that to be the pick. But when I look at it from the long term standpoint is the running back position, as we have seen, minus the Saquan, Barclays and Derek Henry's, this is a position that still teams and guys are being churned out, like they're going through absorbing all this contact for two or three years. Now, if you're a rookie, you know, you might get that, you know, fourth year. You may not even get that fifth year option, but we're seeing this position be discarded

Starting point is 00:09:12 more than any of the other positions right now because there's always younger guys. There's new guys coming out every year in the draft that have fresher legs and not as much contact absorbance at that point. To me, this is where I feel like it's risky going with a running back in round one, just from that standpoint, whereas you look at the wide receiver room, we've talked about it ad nauseum here on the show, is that you are one injury away from being like, oh, no, who's going to step up? What does that look like?

Starting point is 00:09:40 And obviously you're hoping your development with some of these guys that were young last year that takes a step forward, but you can't bank on that necessarily being the case. So you have to have something in place. That's why I'm on board with wide receiver in round one. That would be my personal preference. And look, Broncos Country, we want to hear from you. Your thoughts here on that. We know that the Broncos are going to take a running back in the 2025 NFL draft

Starting point is 00:10:00 according to George Payton. But where do you think that they should take that position? Make sure you let us know wherever you're watching, you're listening to Locked on Broncos. But Broncos Country, we still got a lot to break down here on today's episode of the show. We're not done yet. Up next, we'll tell you why Marvin Mims and the Broncos offense will benefit tremendously from the new amended kickoff rule here in 2025. Today's episode with Lockdown, Broncos is brought to you, our friends.

Starting point is 00:10:22 over there at the Game Time app. And imagine watching your favorite team live, filling the energy of the crowd, and witnessing unforgettable moments. It's everything that every sports fan dreams of. There's nothing like experiencing a big game in person. And tickets and getting tickets to your favorite event shouldn't be stressful. That's where game time comes in,

Starting point is 00:10:42 making it easier than ever to grab last minute seats at unbeatable prices inside of their app. And they have a new feature called GameTime Picks, where the curation makes it easier to find better value, you for tickets to sports, concerts, comedy, theater, and anything else that's going on in your area. And look, you can check the GameTime app leading up to the event. You'll find the best deals available, the best seats, and the best prices inside of that. Plus, they have their lowest price guarantee or game time will credit you 110% of the difference.

Starting point is 00:11:11 And they give you peace of mind. With seat views before you buy, no surprise fees at checkout, any lowest price guarantee, you can book with total confidence inside of the GameTime app. Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with game time. Download the game time app, create an account. Use code locked on NFL for $20 off your first purchase. That's L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N-N-FL for $20 off. Download game time today.

Starting point is 00:11:34 Last-minute tickets, lowest price, guaranteed. How many kickoff return touchdowns could Marvin Mims Jr. potentially have here in the 2025 season? The NFL might have just made it a little bit easier for him to get to the end zone in the kickoff return game. by transitioning touchbacks to the 35 yard line. Cody, Marvin Mim stands to benefit more than anybody else maybe in the NFL from this rule in Broncos country. We're excited for him.

Starting point is 00:12:02 As we talk about guys making money, maybe Marvin Mims stands to make a lot more money with this rule change. And we're going to break it down and why it's maybe perfect timing now for Darren Rizzi to be joining the Denver Broncos coaching staff. We're going to talk about that on today's episode, Lockdown Broncos. And thank you so much to all of you that make Lockdown Broncos, your first listen of the day. Every single day, we appreciate you so much. And if you're not already rocking with us every day, it takes you a couple of seconds. Okay, hit subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts as well as on YouTube and join the growing community over there. And you'll get your boys, Cody and Sarah, every single day breaking down all things, Denver Broncos.

Starting point is 00:12:39 Cody Marvin Mims Jr., already an all-pro return specialist. We know that he is very good with the football in his hands. He's just got great field vision, obviously has explosive speed. changed the course of a number of games last year in the return game. And you can point to a couple of them specifically, actually, with ways that he really flipped the momentum in ways. That Colts game was absolutely massive. He got a lot of game balls last year just for game changing returns.

Starting point is 00:13:09 The NFL making it easier for him to get kickoff returns is really exciting to me. And it should be really exciting for the Broncos. This almost feels like a sequel to, conversations that we had last year when we thought the NFL was going to be ramping up, you know, fewer and fewer touchbacks. But now I think they're really trying to incorporate this new, to make the kickoff more exciting, right? That's what they want to do.

Starting point is 00:13:33 They want it to be more exciting, but also safer for the players. Well, teams aren't going to like having to kick off to the Denver Broncos. They might just be giving a top 10 offense the ball at the 35 consistently. Well, they didn't like kick into them last year because, you know, if that was the case, if they wanted to, Marvin Mims would have had. more than seven kick returns overall, and especially at altitude. You know, teams are going to boom into the back of the end zone. So obviously moving the touchback, which used to be at the 25, up to the 30,

Starting point is 00:14:00 there was kind of this feeling like, okay, hey, maybe you don't want teams to start on the 30. So let's try to keep the return and play here. Teams like, we don't care about that. I think nearly 32% of all kickoffs last year were returnable in the NFL. This new rule here being in place where now if you kick a touchback, it goes all the way up to the 35. and Sarah, I mean, that's a little bit of a difference, right? Because we're talking about you being 15 yards away from being at midfield at the 50 yard line.

Starting point is 00:14:27 And that changes how you decide to play people from a schematic standpoint, right? Field positioning is so crucial. And Sean Payton often references it as being like the hidden yards that tell the overall story of the game. You mentioned a couple of those scenarios that Marvin Mims had last year. Look, Marvin had seven returns last season, I think, for 194 yards, average 27.7 yards per return. his longest kick return. He had out of the seven ones that he had was 38 yards. I remember it gave the Broncos really good field position

Starting point is 00:14:55 to obviously open up one of their drives there last season. Now you're talking about getting one of the best return specialists in the game who's been a first team all pro in two consecutive years in his first two years in a league. He's been a pro bowl selection in the first two years of his league at that position. And to the point where Sean Payton said, you know, we see what Marvin could do as a returner. We wanted to figure out how can we put him in situations? that set up like a return on the offensive side of the ball that allow us a chance to make big plays.

Starting point is 00:15:24 They put him in the backfield. You saw wheel routes. You saw him getting the ball in the flats and taking it, you know, 40-something yards upfield against the charters on Thursday night football. Now you get a chance to get your best, one of the NFL's best return specialist, the ball in space in the open field. And now you're talking about a dynamic where the Broncos could have more opportunities to score on special teams or best case, I mean, worst case scenario, you're giving. Bow, Nixon, the offense starting field position past the 35-yard line. I will take that every single day. I think that is paramount in today's NFL, and it keeps the return in the game, which Darren Rizzy was a big proponent of this, obviously being discussed and said, like, this is a valuable part of it.

Starting point is 00:16:04 I mean, Sarah, how many times? I think back to when you and I were younger, right? You're what, 35, 36 around that? I'm 30. I just turned 31. We grew up watching guys like Devin Hester. I'll even throw an honorable mention to Joshua Cribbs, formerly of the Cleveland Browns.

Starting point is 00:16:19 We used to watch these guys just change the dynamic of a game from kick return. And for the last however many years, that has really not been a present fact. I think the only guy that's really benefited from it in the last handful of years been Coriorel Patterson, who's had some returns. But aside from that, the return has been non-existent to the point that they were talking about eliminating it entirely from the game. You want to keep it in because it's a core foundation of it. And they found ways to make it safer for players because obviously the speed and the rate

Starting point is 00:16:46 in which guys are running down field to try. to get the returner, that was a little bit of an issue. But now with the blocking, the landing zone, and everything like that, you have an idea to keep the game safer, but keep one of the more exciting elements in the game. And I'm fortunate, and we're a fortunate, the Broncos country's fortunate, to see that Marvin Mims, one of the best in the game, has a chance to do even more of this upcoming season. And you have one of the best special teams coordinators in the NFL, if not the best in Darren Rizzi, a guy who, you know, has proven his worth in gold, essentially over the last

Starting point is 00:17:17 handful of years. I mean, the New Orleans Saints have had some tremendous return men, including all pros on their, you know, in the NFC, right? Rishid Shahid making it to all pro as well. So this guy knows how to scheme it up when it comes to exploiting this rule. And that's where I think having a coordinator like him is going to come into play because you're marrying two of the best skills possible, a guy who knows how to play the chess game on special teams. And then a player who is one of the elite chess pieces, like a true Trump card when you're talking about, this may not matter for some teams,

Starting point is 00:17:52 or you can have guys that are really fast who aren't good return specialists. You can have guys who have really good ball carrier vision who aren't good at kick returns or punt returns. Marvin Mims Jr. has this innate ability to be able to do that and to be able to exploit the way that just angles and taking the right angle himself. And so I feel,

Starting point is 00:18:14 like, again, it's kind of a sequel to what we talked about last year where we got really excited about the potential of more kickoff returns. But like you mentioned, I mean, just ask Peyton Manning how big of a difference, a guy who really only does returns makes in a game because it lost, it costs Peyton a Super Bowl, you know, essentially when he was with the Colts, Devin Hester, returning that kickoff for the Bears. So it's so true, too, like that, that aspect of the game, it changes things drastically, dramatically, from a field position standpoint, from a, hey, even if you do go three and out, you can punt it inside the 20 without going anywhere offensively. I mean, you could realistically speaking, right? And so it changes everything for the Denver Broncos because now you're getting an opportunity with this particular rule to start every drive, I mean, at or right around midfield.

Starting point is 00:19:07 I mean, with Marvin Mims, if it's 27 yards, you're kicking it into a landing zone, that's kind of his average. So, I mean, I feel like this is really a drastic shift in favor of the Denver Broncos. Well, you know, another thing I think about too strategically, let's say that they're, you know, you have a really, really good defense, right? Let's, let's factor in this as a potential thing to look ahead to. You have a very good defense, and you know you're going against an offense. It's one of the bottom ranked offenses in the NFL. I think there may be a calculation in instances like that where teams decide, hey, we're okay with doing that.

Starting point is 00:19:42 Like if they don't trust their special teams unit, which hopefully you don't admit that, you don't trust their special teams guys in coverage. But they may be saying, we're willing to put you at the 35-yard line because our defense is so dang good. We believe that they're going to stop you. That would be an interesting thing to maybe see kind of unfold from all of this here. But I also think keeping the return aspect is not only great for the game,

Starting point is 00:20:02 not only great for the return guys. I also think it's great for the guys who are, you know, perennial special teams players who were trying to earn a contract. Like kickoff used to be one of those instances where you would go through and earn a contract for another team because how many kickoff tackles do you have? Like, you know, you see standouts all the time. And, you know, Matthew Slater was one of those guys. He was obviously a great gunner for the New England Patriots as well on the punt unit.

Starting point is 00:20:23 But, you know, you have guys on there that used to go up there and make plays. Like if it wasn't for the kickoff, essentially, not saying kick return, but if it wasn't for kickoff and being able to cover guys, we may have never seen Terrell Davis in a Denver Broncos uniform. He may have been out of the NFL relatively quickly if it wasn't for that. So I love that they're finding a way to keep one of the most important dynamics of the game in the game and amplifying it to where teams are going to have to stop return options this upcoming season. And that's going to obviously put some challenges on the Broncos too.

Starting point is 00:20:53 They've got to do a better job of their kick coverage. They weren't that great last year in instances in which they did kick off to the opposing teams. So it's going to force everyone to be on their P's and Qs here going forward. But we want to know from you, Broncos, what do you think of the rule amendment here? Do you think there's benefits to Broncos or do you think it hurts them in any way, shape, or form? Your thoughts on the 35-yard touchback rule at this point. Make sure you let's know here on lockdown Broncos. We're not done yet.

Starting point is 00:21:16 Broncos country as the NFL annual meeting continues and there's a ton of conversations about what's going to get banned, what's going to be in favor here. Sean Payton is not in favor of a playoff reseeding format. We'll tell you why I disagree with him. I don't know what Sares thinking, but I'll tell you why I disagree with him here on today's episode, Locked on Broncos. Winning your division in today's NFL is absolutely important, but playoff seating and how it goes, where you play, how you play, and with the divisional conversation at the forefront here. This is a very discussed and debated topic right now at the NFL annual meetings in terms of the playoff reseeding format that was proposed by the Detroit lines.

Starting point is 00:21:59 who didn't have a lot of success with some of things they proposed. Unfortunately, I thought they had some great ideas here. But Broncos head coach, Sean Payton, is not in favor of playoff reseeding, meaning that if you have a better record than a team that wins their division, you should not move up there at that point. So I disagree with that, Sarah. I know I've been on the show a few times. I think this past year we looked at the Houston Texans,

Starting point is 00:22:20 the record that they had because they were on such a bad division. They didn't have the greatest record, but they still won their division. They still got to have that four seed no matter what version. versus there were some teams that had a better record than them that by this logic, if this new ruling was actually put in a favor, there would have been some teams. I think the Chargers who had a better record than them would have actually played that game at home in L.A. versus having to go to Houston, not sure if the result would have been different there.

Starting point is 00:22:45 But rewarding teams, I feel like, who have a better record that but are in tougher divisions, essentially, I feel like that should still be something that's discussed. I know there's a split here from a lot of people. I'm curious to see how you feel about this. Yeah, I think that it's this argument of whether or not your wins matter either way, right? I mean, if you win 11 games and you have to go travel on the road to face off against a team that only won eight games, but somehow won their division because their division stinks, like that doesn't make any sense to me. You know, I think that that's, that's the epitome of unfair or if a team that's that, say a team wins 12 games and somehow misses the playoffs because, you know, all these other teams won 12.

Starting point is 00:23:28 12, 13, 14 games, and a division champion just so happens to have won only nine. Like, you're telling me that just because they won their division, that they deserve to get in over a 12-win team, like how difficult it is to win in the NFL. I think there's extreme examples like that that certainly would change the way that people think because that doesn't really happen on an annual basis, right? But it's wins should matter in the NFL. And I agree that winning the division should matter. So how about this?

Starting point is 00:23:57 what if a division winner gets a fourth round compensatory pick or something like that? What if every division winner gets a compensatory draft pick? And that's like an incentive, obviously, to want to win your division. But at the same time, playoff seating could be based on your overall record. Or maybe it's a combination of your record plus strength of schedule, right? So if you have the best record plus the best strength of schedule, you get the highest seed. I mean, it's not rocket science to figure these kinds of things out, right? I mean, there are ways to do that, especially in the NFL where, I mean, it is the most difficult sport in the, in my opinion, in all of professional sports to win consistently.

Starting point is 00:24:41 And so if teams are winning, they should be rewarded for that, not not left out of the dance because, well, this team won their division, you know, and it's, you know, that's what we do is we just, every division winner gets in. I think there should be room maybe for other teams in that discussion depending on circumstances. Well, I think another thing to look at, like the Minnesota Vikings had one of the best records in the NFL this season. And they still had to go on the road to play a team that had a worse record than them. Like to me, that's where I honestly feel like that's my biggest gripe out of it all, right? And there have been times we've seen, I think a few years ago, I think before they actually changed or this was maybe the first year they changed it to where they added the seventh C, the additional wild. card seed here. But I remember, I think it was Washington. I think with Taylor Heineke, I think they had like an eight and nine record and they made it into the

Starting point is 00:25:30 postseason when there were teams that had a better record that were kind of left out. That's where I don't like it. But Sean Payton, he's like, you know, I'm not a fan of it. And I understand it because it goes back to him as a coach saying, winning our division is important. And look, you can't run from Kansas City or the Chargers. You know you're in a tough division inside the AFC West. You have obviously right now on paper, you got a four really dang good coaches on every team in this division. The Broncos, the Chargers, and the Chiefs right now are, I think, in a pretty open competition for the top spot.

Starting point is 00:26:03 Obviously, the Chiefs would be the favor until someone knocks them off. But it's no longer just a guarantee like, hey, it's going to be Kansas City's division anymore. At least that's the perception right now around the NFL. The window, you know, I think everyone thinks is closing on them. But that just goes to emphasize what Sean said is like, we want to win our division. We want to host a playoff game. So I understand where he's coming from from that standpoint.

Starting point is 00:26:25 But even by that logic, it's like, all right, hey, Denver with that record, you know, they might not have made it in. You know, if it wasn't four, I mean, obviously Kansas City wrestling their starters, that's fine. But at 10 and 7, you still want to be able to get into the dance. But the thing I have an issue with Sarah is we're at a point now. And I was getting in this conversation with someone who commented on one of my TikToks about like the culture, the turnaround of Denver. And people are saying, well, you know, the Broncos, they didn't beat any good. teams last year. I'm like, but they still won 10 games. Like, that's the thing. Like, you play who's on your schedule. It doesn't matter if they're good or not good. And of course,

Starting point is 00:26:58 you want to find a way to beat the good teams like the Kansas cities, the Buffalo bills, the Baltimore Ravens. You want to find a way to beat those teams. Denver competed with those teams. And then at various points, they ran out of gas against them. So it's just about finding a way to be sustainable, though. But it's the whole idea that, well, let's minimize their 10 wins because they didn't beat anybody of significance. I think it's a little laughable here. Yeah, I think that's a ridiculous argument to make because what were the Broncos favored in like four games last year or something like that. So the Lions played, the NFC North. Look at who they all played last year.

Starting point is 00:27:33 Right, right, exactly. It's the gauntlet out there. And it's like, look, you can break down all these different teams, records against teams with a winning record, right? I think it was the Ravens that you and I looked this up. It was like the Chiefs and the Ravens and another team that really were good against winning record. teams. And I just think that's funny. Like the Broncos win all their 10 games except for one by nine points or more. And that's still not good enough, even though they had 90 million in dead cap, even though they had a rookie quarterback, even though, you know, a lot of roster transition, playing in a division

Starting point is 00:28:08 with three playoff teams. You know, it's not good enough because they didn't beat the Baltimore. I mean, and they beat Kansas City with the backups in there. And I guess the Buccaneers aren't a good team or, you know, the Jets who had one of the best defenses in the league early in the season. That wasn't good enough at the time. We're always grading on this hindsight curve, which is so interesting to me. I feel like the Broncos did a really good job last year at adjusting throughout the course of the season and playing teams tough. They only got blown out twice by the Ravens, who were one of the best teams in the NFL

Starting point is 00:28:42 and then by the bills, obviously, who they were one of the best teams in the NFL. So it's just interesting to me, Cody. And I do think that obviously, you know, like Sean, to Sean Payton's point, you want winning the division to matter. Like if you do grind out a 10-win season in the AFC West, and let's say you do do really well against teams with winning records. And another team has 12 wins and they played against terrible teams. Like, would that suck to have to go on the road to face that team in the playoffs, even though you won your division in a tough season? Yeah, it would be. But I think maybe there's there's situations to where you could look and say, hey, let's play this game at a new.

Starting point is 00:29:19 neutral field or, you know, let's, you know, do the compensatory pick thing. I mean, there's ways that you can brainstorm alternatives that could be appealing to everyone involved. Well, you know, and I think that this is obviously something that I think has been tabled to have some more conversations on it. They're also tabled to push conversation, which, you know, be revisited in the month of May. We'll see how the landscape changes here for the NFL. We know one good thing that did come out of it. Obviously, Marvin Mims and the Broncos offense, they'll have more opportunities to have great field position with the kick return element being presented to a 35-yard touchback if teams opt to do just that here.

Starting point is 00:29:55 But that'll wrap up today's episode, locked on Broncos, Broncos country. Make sure you tune in tomorrow, especially if you're in every day or because we're going to highlight a couple things. The Broncos, they added another quarterback to the roster. What does that mean for the overall state? Will they carry three onto the 53 and 2025. We'll debate and discuss that. Plus, we'll also tell you the latest timeline on some potential contract extensions.

Starting point is 00:30:16 Denver Broncos GM, George Payton. and gave us some insight as to the timeline in which they're looking to maybe open up conversations. Is that coming soon? We'll break that down much more on tomorrow's brand new episode, Locked on Broncos.

Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos WILL TAKE RB In 2025 NFL Draft | WR A Better Round 1 Value?

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.