Sean Payton has never been one to mince words. If he’s got doubts, you’ll hear them. If he’s unimpressed, you’ll know. And when it comes to the NFL Combine, he watches with the cold, calculating gaze of a man who sees past the hype. One year ago, he stood in those bleachers, arms crossed, reading between the lines of every throw, every drill, every split-second hesitation. Some prospects rise to the moment. Others get left behind.

The Broncos’ head coach has never been one to tip his hand—until now. At the 2024 NFL Combine, Payton played it cooler than a Rocky Mountain breeze, masking his cards as he sized up prospects. But behind the scenes? A rookie quarterback’s rocky start and a Kansas running back’s under-the-radar grind that could soon rewrite Denver’s playbook. Fast forward to 2025, and once again, Payton’s presence looms over the Combine. Only this time, it’s not just about scouting talent—it’s about sending a message.

At the 2024 Combine, Bo Nix’s performance left Payton unimpressed. “He really didn’t throw well,” Payton told NFL Network’s Peter Schrager. The reporter’s question was, “Did you know then (a year ago) that Bo Nix was the guy?” Payton quickly responded: “We didn’t at that time… I would say that decision probably was finalized or we felt real strong. It wasn’t just the—he had a pro day on Friday, and then, Saturday, we had a private workout. I think that Saturday after his private workout, we felt like that was our target.”

The admission was as jarring as a halftime buzzer-beater. Nix, now Denver’s playoff-hopeful QB1, initially seemed like a misfit in Payton’s system. But Combine stats aren’t destiny. Payton’s staff dug deeper, hosting private workouts where Nix’s grit—and arm—shone. By April, Denver bet big, drafting him 12th overall. Nix didn’t just prove Payton’s initial impressions wrong—he bulldozed expectations.

The rookie racked up 29 touchdowns, 3,775 yards, and a 10-7 record, snapping Denver’s decade-long playoff drought. “The lesson? This is just the start. There’s still a long way to go in the process,” Schrager noted. Nix’s rise mirrored Tom Brady’s Combine growing pains, a nugget Payton himself referenced.

“Don’s, obviously an agent that I worked with… he had this young quarterback Tom Brady, and he asked me, ‘Can you call Tom? and just tell him what to expect at the combine,’” Payton said. For Nix, the beast was tamed with reps, not reps alone. Fast-forward to the 2025 Combine, and Payton’s still playing the long game.

The Kansas connection: Payton’s new target

Enter Devin Neal, Kansas Jayhawks’ bulldozing RB. Neal’s 4.58 sec 40-yard dash raised eyebrows, but his 1.59-second 10-yard split? A red flag for some. Not for Denver. They’ve met with him formally, a source confirmed. Neal’s resume—three straight 1,000-yard seasons—screams reliability. Payton’s hunt for a versatile “joker” back might’ve found its wildcard.

Neal’s game isn’t about breakneck speed—it’s about breaking tackles. His 207-yard, 3-TD demolition of Colorado showcased old-school, Emmitt Smith-esque grit. Payton, who turned Alvin Kamara into a Saints legend, sees potential. Neal’s 37.5-inch vertical? Icing on the cake. Denver’s eyeing him for Round 3, a steal if his hands catch up to his hustle. But the Broncos aren’t done stacking weapons.

With picks in hand, Payton’s targeting Nix’s Oregon buddy, WR Tez Johnson, and eyeing Missouri’s Luther Burden III. Burden’s 91.3 PFF screen grade aligns perfectly with Denver’s scheme. Meanwhile, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan—a 6’5” red-zone nightmare—draws comparisons to Demaryius Thomas. For a team craving size, he’s prime ribs.

Payton’s masterstroke? Turning Nix’s Combine stumble into a Cinderella story while quietly courting Neal. In a league obsessed with 40 times and QB obsessions, Denver’s betting on grit over glamour. As Sun Tzu once said, “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory.” Payton’s tactics? Draft day patience, private workouts, and trusting the grind.

So, Broncos fans—will Neal be the Kamara to Nix’s Brees, or is this another Combine smoke screen? The draft clock’s ticking…