Sean Payton sends shock waves in NFL draft, becoming a Land Barron

Sean Payton did it. Can you believe it? As predicted, he sent tremors through the NFL draft with a shocking move.

The most aggressive coach in the league, a man who called an onside kick in the Super Bowl and a fake punt in last January’s playoff game, made one of the most surprising picks Thursday.

He stayed put at No. 20 and took a cornerback.

Wait, what?

The Broncos selected Texas star Jahdae Barron. They picked a defensive back with two running backs — North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton and Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson — on the board. They were interested in moving up, according to multiple reports, creating speculation they wanted Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren. The tight ends were snapped up by the Bears at No. 10 and the Colts with the 14th selection. Payton insisted they were not tempted to go forward.

The Broncos considered moving back for a runner, creating an easy avenue to add another draft pick.

In the end, they ordered vanilla ice cream and followed their board, the mock drafts mocking all of us.

“What do you want me to say? They are embarrassing,” Payton said with a smile.

Barron was a chalk pick, too good to pass up, too special to ignore when the Dolphins bypassed him at No. 13. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked him as the eighth-best player overall. So the value is real. But the reality is sobering.

This was set up as a night to rejoice, to celebrate a skill player to boost Bo Nix.

Instead of boosting their own passing game, the Broncos continued focusing on preventing completions. Barron joins the heat-seeking missile of a safety Talanoa Hufanga and rangy linebacker Dre Greenlaw, free agent additions for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph this offseason.

Seriously, this could be one of the biggest first-round surprises in Broncos’ history, conjuring images of quarterback Tim Tebow in 2010 and defensive back Willie Middlebrooks in 2001.

So we are clear. This has nothing to do with Barron. It was his position. Did the Broncos really need another corner? The answer, when no longer viewing through our fantasy football lens, is yes.

Given a moment to mull the selection, another memory surfaced. Remember when the Broncos picked Bradley Roby in the first round in 2014? Corner was hardly a pressing need. But with Roby’s ability to play nickel, it created freedom to move Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib into more favorable matchups. A good defense became historic.

This could play out again with Barron.

It just was hard to reconcile his name based on the past few months, given the need to invigorate a sorry ground attack that betrayed the Broncos in losses. Going with Hampton or Henderson felt like an auto pick – giving Denver a bruiser to enhance an offensive line that won in the run game but was undermined by the underwhelming carousel of Javonte Williams, Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin.

So what does this pick mean? Two things. The Broncos are comfortable with landing a running back on Day 2, like Henderson — yes, he is still available — his Ohio State teammate Quinshon Judkins or Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson.

And they are not sold on slot corner Ja’Quan McMillian. He is officially on notice. And if Barron learns quickly, he could push Riley Moss to the nickel spot. Put on the tape and Barron does everything well. Covers. Tackles. Learns.

“He can do both (inside and outside),” said Harris Jr., leader of the 2015 No Fly Zone. “He’s a dog.”

Everything about Barron suggests he will be a menace, fitting in snugly with Joseph’s downhill, aggressive scheme. He was the best defensive back in college football last season, eclipsing CU’s Travis Hunter for the award.

He brings size, speed and better range than your cellphone plan. And he’s also a captain. Under general manager George Paton and Payton, the Broncos have a type. They want leaders, players with unquenchable competitive spirit and strong character.

Barron checks the boxes.

“He was not only a great defender, a great young man,” said Matthew McConaughey, the most famous Texas booster. “The Broncos are getting a stud on and off field. Blessin’ up.”

Barron was everything for the Longhorns. And still grounded. He spent the hour before the draft in church, receiving lessons from his pastor to trust his faith. He was a lion all season, no reason to roar or complain about his next stop.

Funny thing is, he had a feeling he was going to be Denver. He had called Pat Surtain II earlier in the week, connected by a shared financial advisor. They did not talk, but that will happen soon. Very soon.

“I can do a lot of things. I am very smart. And I can’t wait to learn from Surtain,” Barron said. “This defense moves a lot of guys around. It is a perfect fit.”

Barron is more versatile than a pair of khakis. According to Pro Football Focus, Barron logged 1,133 snaps outside, 917 in the slot and 508 as a safety in the box for run support. This is the kind of player who should help stop Patrick Mahomes, Geno Smith and Justin Herbert, keeping them in reach for Nix.

In fairness to Payton, he cautioned that one of the best ways to help Nix was by beefing up the defense. We just figured he was kidding.

In the end, there was no air strike. Just a violent tremor as Payton and Paton got their Land Barron.

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