PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Broncos will draft a running back when the 2025 NFL Draft arrives in late April.

That much, General Manager George Paton made clear on Monday at the NFL’s Annual Meeting.

When? And which type of back? That information likely won’t reveal itself until the given selection is turned in to the league during the draft.

The Broncos added to a number of positions during free agency, but the strength of the draft at the position — as well as Broncos’ evaluation of the quality of the free-agent market — led Denver to wait to add to the group.

When the Broncos do select a player, they’ll have a slew of choices — from first-round projected standouts to Day 2 gems to Day 3 steals.

“It’s a strong class,” Paton said. “There are different flavors throughout the draft. I think you can get a good back in the second round up and all the way to the sixth round. That’s how it is. There’s just so many of them. The first- and second-down power back, you have the change-of-pace, you have the third-down [back] and you have the three-down [back]. [There are] not as many three-down backs, but it’s a good class. We’ll get a [running] back in this draft.”

Head Coach Sean Payton said there are different traits he looks for in a running back depending on the style of player, but he also noted several consistent elements he hopes to find with a player at that position.

“I think ball security [is one thing] you’re looking for,” Payton said. “Some backs make positive yards most of the time, and that’s a trait that I think [is important]. There’s a feel, in other words. Some backs don’t have the same vision as others, meaning they’ll take a negative play.”

Payton also noted toughness as a key trait for any player on his roster, placing it with football IQ as a necessary characteristic.

“It’s an extremely physical game, and at some point, there’s a team that takes it more than they give it each week,” Payton said. “So it’s important to have not only physically tough, but mentally tough-minded players.”

As the Broncos look to add to their stable of running backs, Payton also emphasized he wants to see the team’s current backs — a group that currently includes Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson — compete for snaps.

“Make no mistake about it: We’re wanting to see our group at home get these opportunities now,” Payton said. “So, that competition, I think, will help.”