ENGLEWOOD — The Broncos remain searching for offensive playmakers after Day 1 of the NFL draft.

Denver used the No. 20 overall pick Thursday to select Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron instead of drafting a weapon to aid second-year quarterback Bo Nix. Broncos general manager George Paton and coach Sean Payton expressed confidence in talent left on the board ahead of Day 2 for the second and third rounds.

“There was a runner that we considered in that range. I think that was more of a trade-back scenario,” Paton said Thursday during a news conference at Broncos Park. “There’s a lot of good players left in the draft. … A lot of offensive players. A lot of weapons. We got a weapon on defense in the first round.”

Payton added: “We felt like this was a pick at our number or possibly move back year based on how the board set. … I think you’re getting a little bit of maybe the honey hole of this draft tomorrow.”

The Broncos missed out on Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (No. 6; Raiders), Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (No. 8; Panthers), Michigan tight end Colston Loveland (No. 10; Bears), Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (No. 14; Colts) and Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (No. 19; Buccaneers).

The Broncos also passed on North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (No. 22 Chargers) and Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden (No. 23; Packers).

The top available offensive skill players entering Day 2 of the draft include:

— RB TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)

— TE Elijah Arroyo (Miami)

— WR Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)

— TE Mason Taylor (LSU)

— WR Luther Burden (Missouri)

Ward goes No. 1

University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward is headed to the Tennessee Titans as the No. 1 overall pick.

Ward began his college football career with two seasons at Incarnate Word (FCS) before transferring to Washington State. He threw for 3,000-plus yards and 20-plus touchdowns for the Cougars before landing in the transfer portal at Miami. In 2025, Ward dominated with a career-high 4,313 passing yards and 43 total touchdowns for the Hurricanes.

Ward and University of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders are considered friends. They share the same trainer, Darrell Colbert, and worked out together previously during summer breaks.

Sanders did not get selected in the first round.

Trade tracker

There were four trades Thursday in the first round of the draft:

— The Jaguars and Browns swapped first-round selections. Jacksonville received picks No. 2 (CB Travis Hunter, CU), No. 104 (fourth round) and No. 200 (sixth round). Cleveland received picks No. 5 (DT Mason Graham, Michigan), No. 36 (second round), No. 126 (fourth round) and a Jaguars’ 2026 first-round pick.

— The Giants traded back into the first round with the Texans. New York received pick No. 25 (QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss). Houston received picks No. 34 (second round), No. 99 (third round) and a Giants’ 2026 third-round pick.

— The Falcons traded back into the first round with the Rams. Atlanta received picks No. 26 (EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee) and No. 101 (third round). Los Angeles received picks No. 46 (second round), No. 242 (seventh round) and a Falcons’ 2026 first-round pick.

— The Eagles moved up to No. 31 (LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama) in a trade with the Chiefs. Kansas City received No. 32 (OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State) and No. 164 (fifth round).

Cheesehead draft

Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., hosted the draft for the first time in league history.

Packers faithful (aka Cheesheads) and fan bases across the NFL made it especially memorable. More than 125,000 people were reportedly in attendance, forcing the Packers to temporarily pause fan entry because the event “reached maximum capacity,” per the team’s social media account.

The draft began with ex-Packers joining NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on stage, including former Colorado Buffaloes place-kicker Mason Crosby (2003-06). Crosby played 16 seasons for the Packers (2007-22).

Briefly

Samuel Barrett, 17, announced Denver’s first-round selection from Green Bay in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Barrett has battled a brain tumor since 2018. … The NFL announced that the 2025 regular-season schedule will be released at 6 p.m. (MT) on May 14. … Day 2 of the NFL draft begins at 5 p.m. Friday on NFL Network, ESPN and ABC.