ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos added seven new players in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it won't be long before they add college free agents to the roster, as well.

When the new crop of rookies arrive in Denver, they'll be provided with a message that Head Coach Sean Payton has delivered in his previous two seasons leading the Broncos.

It doesn't matter how you got here, it matters how you perform.

"We're going to go by what we see," Payton said. "… This is a process. We're trying to secure in order the best way to get the most for our draft. But once they're here, it's up to them to earn their stripes."

The same, though, is true for the Broncos' returning players. Denver may have added to certain positions in the draft, but Payton noted at the NFL Annual Meeting that he expected the current running backs, for example, to push for expanded roles.

"Year 1, they get exposed to what we're doing," Payton said of the team's young players. "We'll see growth in Year 2. We're excited to see that with these guys. And that's whether it's Blake [Watson], Audric [Estime or] Tyler Badie."

Payton said while the team always aims to address needs, the team is eager to see growth — at that position and at others.

"We look forward to seeing their development, just like we look forward to seeing the young receivers develop and the same way in the secondary if we're looking at [Kris] Abrams-Draine," Payton said. "I could go on and on. This is one part of making your team better, and then, hey, you create that high-level competition."

The same is true with the second-year wide receivers in Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele.

At the running back position, in particular, the Broncos return Jaleel McLaughlin alongside Estime, Badie and Watson. McLaughlin led the returning rushers with 496 yards on the ground, and he added another 76 yards through the air. Estime, meanwhile, posted 76 carries for 310 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Badie showed promise in Week 3 against the Buccaneers before a Week 4 injury, while Watson received limited in-game reps.

Soon, second-round pick RJ Harvey will arrive in Denver and join the competition. As Payton explained, though, Denver's current running backs — particularly those entering Year 2 — will also be expected to compete.

And while Payton said NFL coaches would always advocate for more talent, he believes the Broncos have the talent — both through the draft and other avenues — they need at the running back and tight end positions.

"We feel we put ourselves in a good position," Payton said.

ADDING THE RIGHT PLAYERS

In the midst of an answer on Friday about adding former team captains to the roster, Payton pointed to a key responsibility the Broncos' brass has as they make draft picks.

"Our locker room is counting on this now," Payton said. "There's a responsibility that we have each selection to bring them like-minded players that plan on winning and are used to competing and have that football DNA. This is a difficult league and if you don't have it, it challenges you quick."

Payton has often spoken about the grit and resolve needed to succeed during an NFL season, and finding players that are up for that challenge is part of the evaluation process.

"It's just trying to — and it's hard sometimes — but trying to as best we can in the evaluation process, measure the grit, the mental toughness, the importance of the game to these players," Payton said.

And that ultimately leads the Broncos to a certain type of player to whom the game matters a great deal.

STEPPING UP

The Broncos lost a slew of coaches and front office personnel during the 2025 offseason, from Darren Mougey becoming the Jets' GM to several coaches receiving promotions across the league.

Even with those absences, the Broncos found a way to excel in their process by having people across the organization take on more responsibility.

"Really, everyone stepped up — and on the coaching side, the personnel side, the medical side," Paton said. "All hands on deck for this draft process and [a] collaborative process — I know we say that too much, but this really is. Everyone [is] on the same page and working together and it doesn't mean they always agree or disagree, but they work really well – coaches, scouts, medical, analytics. Everyone's involved, it's a team effort.

"It's really been outstanding — everyone did a little extra. We were down. I appreciate everyone, all the scouts, all the coaches, all the personnel, everyone involved, football operations, with [Senior Vice President of Operations] Chip [Conway] and his group. We had a lot of players on top-30 visits and just getting the building ready. It's an outstanding effort. I thought we had a really good weekend, and I think we got better as a football team."