Why Patrick Surtain II is the right pick for the Denver Broncos
By Sonny Cohen
The Denver Broncos used the number nine pick in the 2021 draft on cornerback Patrick Surtain II. It should prove to be a great pick by George Paton adding to an already impressive defensive back room.
Denver Broncos‘ GM George Paton added Patrick Surtain II to a cornerback group that includes standouts Ronald Darby, Bryce Callahan, and Kyle Fuller.
While some fans will be frustrated as a quarterback was not taken at number nine, the 2021 Rose Bowl defensive MVP is a great fit for the Broncos and is the right pick for the team.
The 6-foot-2 2020 All American has amassed four interceptions and 24 passes broken up at Alabama and George Paton told KOA NewsRadio that the team felt “he was the cleanest player on the board…great intangibles, he’s long, he ran 4.41, the game comes really easy to him.”
The additions of Darby and Kyle Fuller through free agency seemingly turned Paton away from a cornerback in the draft. But there are two issues that Surtain II helps cover; last year the Broncos secondary suffered from a serious injury problem.
It was a position group that got really thin and with Bryce Callahan yet to complete a full season, it’s hard to criticize the decision to bring an elite cornerback prospect to add true depth, where they had previously struggled.
With Darby on a three-year deal and Fuller on a one-year deal, there will be a hole in the secondary come the 2022 NFL season. By having the former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back on board, they have a ready-made replacement should Darby move on in the off-season.
Looking at Surtain II as an on-field talent it is clear to see why Paton and the coaching staff would be so high on him. He is an explosive athlete with a 39-inch vertical to go with his 4.41 40-yard time.
He is a great scheme fit for any defense. With Vic Fangio at the helm of the Denver Broncos’ defense, his ability to play on an island with his great ball skills and length will make an already strong secondary better on day one.
Not only is he great in coverage, but Surtain has never shirked his tackling duty. Throughout his college career, he has met running backs at the line of scrimmage making good, important tackles.
He has drawn comparisons to Richard Sherman throughout the draft process and it’s no surprise. On top of his toughness, his tape shows a real ability to dissect and understand an offense.
Surtain II has been able to eliminate routes by understanding his alignment and put himself in a great position to make plays on the ball and create turnovers.
Before even stepping onto the field Surtain II has excited his future teammates with many among them tweeting their support. He will certainly have the right veteran players around him to help his development and adjustment to the NFL.
His ability to fit in any scheme, explosive athleticism, and high IQ at the cornerback position makes Surtain II a great pick for any team. But for a Denver team that wants to “draft and develop” their talents, he seems like a perfect fit.
He can come in day one and make an impact on the field for Denver and provides long-term playmaking for a secondary that would like to generate more takeaways than it did last season.
Surtain II is a future number one cornerback. He will certainly play to the level required to make Denver fans forget all about their desire for a QB at the number nine spot in this year’s draft.