Sean Payton once called it “the most difficult conversation” he’s ever had on draft day. It was 2014, the Saints were sitting at 27, and Brandin Cooks was slipping. Payton slammed the table, picked up the phone, and told GM Mickey Loomis, “We’re not waiting. Go get him.” Minutes later, the Saints had traded up to 20—and landed their guy. A decade later, Payton’s in Denver, the war room’s different, the stakes are higher, but his playbook for Draft Day aggression? Unchanged.

Behind closed doors in Broncos HQ, GM George Paton knows the signs: that slight tilt in Sean’s voice, the narrowed eyes at a prospect highlight reel, the stubborn insistence that “we’re close.” It’s 2025, and once again, the Broncos are drafting at No. 20. But if you know Sean Payton—and history says we should—you also know: they’re probably not staying there. Paton knows his head coach too well. That’s why he waits until draft day to even bring up the idea of trading back. Even then, “It’s just no use,” he laughed, because when it comes to Sean Payton, moving up is the only direction he’s ever looked during the draft.

Draft day never goes exactly as we expect. Let’s be real – no GM, let alone fan or analyst, has ever predicted all 32 first-round picks perfectly. Still, that doesn’t stop GMs, coaches, and front offices from trying to shake things up. And now, there’s buzz that Payton and the Broncos might be planning just that. As per Todd McShay, the Broncos are going to be “aggressive” in the draft.

The analyst hinted, “I think if he were there, they would jump at the opportunity, but I also think Denver is trying to be aggressive. It won’t surprise me a little bit. In fact, I’d say it’s more probable than not that they’re not picking at 20, that they’re picking earlier.” So, according to McShay, Sean Payton’s Denver team is planning to trade up from draft pick No. 20 – something which Paton had earlier brought to notice.

Well, we can’t ignore history, as it too depicts the same. Back in New Orleans, in 2011, Payton and Paton, both grabbed Cam Jordan at 24, then jumped right back in to take Mark Ingram at 28. Then the 2014 move from 27 to 20 for Brandin Cooks. And in 2018? He gave up a future first-rounder just to land Marcus Davenport at 14. That’s who Sean Payton is: a coach who sees a player he believes in and makes the move, no hesitation. It’s aggressive, it’s bold, and honestly, it’s what makes draft night with him anything but predictable.

And now in 2025, it remains to be seen which prospect they draft this year and with which pick. Meanwhile, as per another prediction maker, the Broncos are expected to stay put at 20 and draft a running back.

Is Sean Payton going to draft a North Carolina RB?

Woody Paige has done it before, and he’s feeling confident again. The mock draft analyst has nailed four of the Broncos’ last five first-round picks, and now he’s calling it – Omarion Hampton‘s going to Sean Payton’s Denver.

Paige says he saw it coming a month ago, and all the other talk is just noise. Sharing his thoughts, he said, “I’ve given you four of the last five Broncos first picks, including Bo Nix in January 2024. I wrote a month ago that the Broncos will draft Omarion Hampton at 20. All else is a smokescreen, as it was last year. Glad others, including the head coach’s daughter, have agreed with me.” Meghan Payton, Coach Sean Payton’s daughter, backed his prediction, hinting that the team will draft Hampton this time. So, it feels like more than just a hunch now.

A lot of mock drafts are also lining up with this call, and Hampton’s name keeps coming up. The 22-year-old RB doesn’t just run the football, he attacks defenders. When it’s one-on-one, especially against smaller guys, he’s winning that battle. He’s got this strength that keeps him pushing forward, never going down easy. But here’s the twist – he’s not just power. His feet are fast. Even in tight spaces, he can make moves back-to-back like it’s his second nature. That’s what makes him special.

In total, Hampton has recorded 3,565 yards for 36 touchdowns. And now that he is entering the league, Sean Payton’s Broncos are ready to take him Mile High. With Draft day upon us, we just have a few more hours to see if Woody makes it five hits out of six.