ENGLEWOOD — Sean Payton said last week the Broncos could take a defensive player in the first round of the draft, and that’s what they did Thursday night.

While there was plenty of speculation the Broncos might select a running back, they instead picked Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron with the No. 20 pick.

Payton is entering his third season as Denver’s head coach. As an NFL coach with the New Orleans Saints and the Broncos, his teams have had 19 first-round picks and taken defensive players 11 times.

“We weren’t expecting (Barron) to be there (at No. 20),’’ general manager George Paton said at Broncos Park. “He was pretty high up on our board. What we liked about him is he’s a playmaker, he’s a football player, he’s a fun watch. … Sean and I watched him last week and we just couldn’t stop watching him. … He plays all over the field.”

Payton said in watching Barron he admired his “versatility” and he said his “football IQ is outstanding.” Payton said there wasn’t much depth at cornerback in the draft compared to other positions such as running back.

“There were probably six picks we had to get past as we sat there,” Payton said of hoping Barron would fall to the Broncos as they watched the draft unfold in Green Bay, Wis. “I think it was value.”

Barron had five interceptions last season for the Longhorns. He is regarded as a supreme athlete, registering at the NFL combine 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 35-inch vertical leap. He won the Jim Thorpe Award as college football’s top defensive back.

“I bring a lot of versatility to the defense,’’ Barron said. “I’m going to play my role. I’m (going to) master (my) position and I’m going to do that. I’m going to learn from the vets. … It’s going to be amazing. … I’m truly blessed to be in this position and I’m very thankful right now.”

Barron said he “can’t wait” to work with Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Barron had “an idea” he could be taken by the Broncos because of the different things he can do on defense. But he said he had just one Zoom call with them in recent months.

“I truly didn’t know it was coming,’’ Barron said. “The crazy part about this all is I called Patrick Surtain the other day. It wasn’t even about anything actually. I got introduced to him through our financial aid advisor. I was going to reach out to him, and I was supposed to hit him back, but I didn’t even get to hit him back. He’s probably going to make me carry his pads for not hitting him back.”

Barron could battle Riley Moss to be Denver’s other starting cornerback. But when asked if he also could play safety, Barron said, “Most definitely.” However, the Broncos look to be set with starting safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones.

Regardless, Barron expects to play a key role in Denver’s defense.

“I’ll be a big piece, and I know I’m going to be tremendous to that defense,’’ he said.

By taking Barron, the Broncos bypassed running backs Omarion Hampton of North Carolina and TreVeyon Henderson of Ohio State. Running back is Denver’s biggest need, but with the draft deep at the position, the Broncos still could land a quality back.

Hampton went No. 22 to the Los Angeles Chargers. So with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty having gone No. 6 to the Las Vegas Raiders the top two running backs in the draft went to AFC West rivals.

“There was a runner considered in that range and I think that was a trade-back scenario,’’ Paton said. “We had some opportunities to trade back. But we feel good moving forward. … We feel pretty good we’ll get a runner in this draft. … So we got a weapon on defense in the first round.”

Denver next has the No. 51 pick in Friday’s second round. Henderson remains available, but the Broncos might have to trade up to land him.

Paton said Barron “was too unique to pass up.” He noted the Broncos had some struggles on defense last season when Moss was out with a knee injury and said “you can’t have enough cover guys” on the team.

“Just the instincts, the anticipation, the route awareness, zone coverage, really sticky in man (coverage),’’ Paton said about Barron’s game. “He doesn’t give up many completions. I don’t think he gave up a touchdown. We kept looking. And this guy is really good in the run game, a really good tackler, a really good blitzer.”

Barron spent five seasons at Texas and will turn 24 on Dec. 4. After Paton, Payton and owner Greg Penner spoke to Barron on the phone to say he was being taken by Denver, the cornerback had a request.

“I’ve never this happen where he politely asked when we’re finished, ‘Could you guys put me on speaker?’’’ Payton said. “After he finished with Greg, Mr. Penner, we put him on speaker phone, he thanked everyone in the room for the process and talked about his mother and the journey. I’ve never had that happen.”

Barron was known for his character at Texas. After he was selected by the Broncos, actor Matthew McConaughey, an avid Texas fan, took to social media.

“Not only a great defender, a great young man,’’ McConaughey wrote. “Broncos getting a stud on and off (the) field.”

Payton said there were connections at Texas that helped the Broncos in evaluating Barron. Terry Joseph, who was the Longhorns’ secondary coach from 2021-24 and is now a Saints assistant, is the cousin of Denver’s defensive coordinator. And Christian Rizzi, the son of Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, was a long snapper at Texas and Barron’s teammate.

Barron becomes the fifth former Texas player on the Broncos and the fourth on defense. They have Jones, safety P.J. Locke, defensive tackle Malcolm Roach and third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

“We are at a max with Texas players,’’ Payton quipped. “If someone comes in (from Texas), someone’s got to go.”

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The Jahdae Barron file