INDIANAPOLIS — The Broncos' front office might need its scuba gear in the leadup to the 2025 NFL Draft.

General Manager George Paton joked Tuesday that finding a coveted "Joker" player for the Broncos' offense is akin to searching for a mythical creature in the Scottish Highlands. And yet, Paton said he realizes the impact the player can make in Head Coach Sean Payton's system.

"It's kind of like [searching for] the Loch Ness Monster, trying to find a 'Joker,'" Paton said Tuesday. "I've played Sean's teams that have had them, and they're hell."

A dynamic player in the passing game — typically at tight end or running back — the "Joker" position is seemingly an offseason priority for the Broncos.

"They're just mismatch guys," Paton said. "They're hard to find, whether it's a receiver, whether it's a tight end, runner or guys that can just stress the defense in so many different ways, and you can't single-cover them. So there's just not many of those guys in the league. Really, there aren't. You can count them on one hand with how many there are. So, it's unique. We're always searching, and we'll find one certainly at some point."

Payton, though, said it may be a challenge to find that player where the Broncos make their initial selection.

"When you pick [No.] 20, it's not as easy to say, 'We're going to find that,'" Payton said. "That player can be a running back or tight end. Yet, it's just something that we are mindful of as we look at both the draft and free agency. I use that term for when you have one of those guys who are matchup challenges inside, it really helps you [in] third down and [in the] red zone. There are ways defensively you can handle the outside receivers and force the ball inside. That is something we will look closely at."

Payton said both running back and tight end are in the Broncos' "must" category as they approach free agency and the draft, but he also said the cost of the addition will matter.

"It has to be something that makes sense when we are either signing them in free agency or drafting them," Payton said. "It is a priority."

IMPROVING IN THE RUNNING GAME

As the Broncos look to improve in 2025, Payton pointed to the running game as an area where his team can make strides.

"I think certainly improving our running game is going to be a priority," Payton said, "and we feel like we have the right offensive line and the right group of players to give us a chance at that."

Payton said the 2025 NFL Draft has "a number of runners" in it, and that "it's just a matter of what you are looking for."

The Broncos' head coach mentioned rookies Audric Estime and Blake Watson along with Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin as potential young contributors, while Paton did not rule out re-signing veteran running back Javonte Williams.

"I think Javonte's one of the best pass-protectors in the league," Paton said. "I think he's still young and he's still ascending, another year removed from the injury. I think there are so many different flavors in this draft of runner. We have some backs that we like, so it's going to be an interesting process."

QUICK HITS

… New Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll spoke at the podium adjacent to Payton on Tuesday, prompting a question about a loaded AFC West that features three Super Bowl winners in Payton, Carroll and Andy Reid — and a national champion in Jim Harbaugh.

"You know your division opponent is going to be extremely well-coached," Payton said. "That is just proof in the pudding with all three of those guys."

… Payton said third-year linebacker Drew Sanders, who returned late in the season after spending most of the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list, will play at inside linebacker.

"We have progressed enough to where he is going to work inside," Payton said. "It's how the season finished, too. We are going to keep him right there."

Added Paton: "We think Sanders can be a starter in this league at linebacker. Now let's see how it goes."

… Paton said the Broncos are interested in impending free-agent defensive tackle D.J. Jones returning to Denver.

"We really like D.J.," Paton said. "We'd love to have him back, and we'll have those conversations."