Denver Broncos: Bryce Callahan the NFL’s most underrated player?
Despite missing his first campaign with the Denver Broncos in 2019 due to injury, cornerback Bryce Callahan made his presence known in 2020, and his efforts did not go unnoticed by the experts.
As the Pro Football Focus unveils their Top 50 Best Players in the NFL, Tuesday revealed that both Bryce Callahan and Justin Simmons made the cut, coming in at No. 36 and no. 23 respectively.
PFF’s Sam Monson had the following to say about Callahan:
"Callahan may be the most underrated player in the NFL. An undersized slot corner by trade, he was asked to moonlight on the outside as a perimeter corner multiple times last season due to injuries in the Denver secondary. He didn’t just hold up; he continued to thrive.Callahan allowed a passer rating of 46.9 into his coverage in 2020, the best mark in the NFL. He didn’t allow a touchdown or even a completion longer than 19 yards all season despite playing outside of his natural position for extended periods. If he can back up that kind of performance, he will remain one of the best players in the league — at any position.Pro Football Focus"
Monson also made note that Callahan did not allow a completion longer than 19 yards all season, even despite playing out of his position on numerous periods of time.
In the numerous offseason topics surrounding the Denver Broncos, ranging from the potential pursuit of Aaron Rodgers to the new-look backfield for the Broncos, another popular storyline has been a potential rebirth of a lockdown Denver secondary, or a No Fly Zone 2.0, if you will.
Much of this talk surfaced with the first-round selection of Patrick Surtain II in the 2021 NFL Draft, and the addition of Kyle Fuller via trade with the Bears to the cornerbacks group.
However, it is very apparent that what Bryce Callahan brings to the table has been overlooked by many. While injury-plagued Denver’s secondary by the conclusion of the 2020 NFL season, Callahan was a mainstay for the unit, and quietly posted a very efficient season, even better than what Chris Harris Jr. had brought to the Denver Broncos in his last couple of seasons with the team.
Regardless of what the QB situation will look like at the beginning of the season, Broncos Country can feel secure in their faith in this new defensive unit, and much of that security begins with Bryce Callahan.
After this season, the Denver Broncos will have a decision to make on Bryce Callahan, and though it is unclear what his future with the team will be, one thing is clear right now: he is one of the best defensive backs on the roster, and it is time to put some respect on his name.
Callahan may be considered the most “underrated” in the league right now, but come 2021, he will have put his name on everyone’s radar.