Against the backdrop of a number of top receivers available in the NFL draft, Sean Payton offered some love Thursday for his group.

The Broncos have the No. 20 pick in the April 24-26 draft, and there has been speculation they could take a receiver. But the head coach does want to make it clear how they stand now at the position.

“We drafted two receivers last year,’’ said Payton, referring to fourth-round pick Troy Franklin and seventh-round selection Devaughn Vele. “The good news is, after their first year, we really like their progress.”

Payton also made note of Courtland Sutton, who caught 81 passes last season for 1,081 yards, as being “such a positive role model and leader for” the other receivers. And he talked about how Marvin Mims Jr. took a big step at receiver in 2024 from his rookie year of 2023.

“I do feel good about that group we have,’’ Payton said.

Payton said the Broncos will “add numbers to the position” before training camp either through the draft or free agency. But it remains to be seen if they might take a receiver as early as the first round, with possible top players available including Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Missouri’s Luther Burden III, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden of Texas. Or an intriguing receiver could still be on the board in a later round.

“Now, if one of those players arrives in a round where we’re looking at it, that’s the trick to this,’’ Payton said. “I think you’re still looking at value. … There are a number of good young receivers in this draft, and we’ll see how that unfolds.”

Paton fine with draft depth

While some have questioned the depth in the first round of the draft, general manager George Paton feels good about the Broncos sitting at No. 20.

“We think there is going to be a similar player at 10 that there will be there at 20 in our grades,’’ Paton said. “We have more players in that area than we do at 1 through 20.”

The Broncos four times before have had the No. 20 pick and it mostly has gone well. Safety Steve Atwater went No. 20 in 1989 and made the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tackle Garett Bolles was taken in that spot in 2017 and is entering his ninth straight season as a Denver starter.

Noah Fant has developed into a solid tight end after going No. 20 in 2019, although he was traded in 2022 to Seattle. The Broncos’ other No. 20 pick, tackle George Foster in 2013, was mostly a starter in four Denver seasons but was out of the league after six overall years.

The Broncos will enter the draft with seven overall selections. Paton added that “there is some strength in the middle rounds, maybe second, third and fourth.”

Broncos pick announcers named

The NFL on Thursday named who will announce the Broncos’ first two draft picks.

Make-A-Wish recipient Samuel Barrett will announce their No. 20 pick in the first round. Barrett, 17, has undergone numerous treatments since being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2018 and will live out a dream when he takes the stage in Green Bay, Wis.

With the draft being in Wisconsin, former Badgers star running back Monte Ball will announce their No. 51 pick in the second round on Day 2. Ball played for the Broncos from 2013-14, and has said his NFL career was over after the 2015 season due in part to being an alcoholic. Now sober, he is an outreach specialist for Wisconsin Voice of Recovery.

Free agency helps draft

Payton said what the Broncos did in free agency has helped in how they will evaluate draft prospects.

Denver signed three key free agents in linebacker Dre Greenlaw, cornerback Talanoa Hufanga and tight end Evan Engram.

“One of the things that we did a good job of in free agency is put ourselves in a position to really look at three years out,’’ Payton said. “How do we like this player?”

With in mind, the Broncos won’t shy away from selecting some prospects who might need several years of development.

Payton touts Broncos

Coming off their first playoff season since 2015 and first winning season since 2016, the Broncos are considered a team on the rise. Payton is happy to talk about that.

“We can’t be afraid of talking about our goals and where we see this team, especially coming out of free agency,’’ said Payton, coming off a 10-7 season.

So stay tuned for Payton continuing to tout his team.