Denver Broncos: 10 major takeaways early in training camp

2. Pat Surtain II – Trend Setter?

When the Denver Broncos drafted Pat Surtain II, the selection was critiqued by many as overkill. The Broncos went out in free agency and got Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller. They already had Bryce Callahan. They also spent plenty to re-sign Justin Simmons and bring back Kareem Jackson at safety.

What was the point of the first-round cornerback?

Early on in training camp, we’re getting a glimpse of that.

Vic Fangio has hinted at it quite a bit, but seeing it in person is really fun. Surtain has been working in with the top defense playing a hybrid slot/dime linebacker role and lining up against pretty much anyone and everyone.

Not only are we seeing Surtain lined up at outside corner at Denver Broncos training camp, but we’re also seeing him in the box and in the slot.

For years, Denver Broncos fans have been absolutely clamoring for that secret weapon at linebacker that can cover these ultra-athletic tight ends all over the league. The problem is, there are very few linebackers that can turn in coverage and do well against Travis Kelce and Darren Waller. Those guys are basically WR1 types of receiving threats.

How do you cover a WR1? I’ll give you a hint — it’s not with at LB1…

You need to cover a WR1 with a CB1, of course.

The Denver Broncos and most NFL teams spend between 65-75 percent of their defensive snaps in the nickel formation. With teams basically utilizing nickel as a base defense, how quickly could we see the dime defense become sort of the new nickel?

Pat Surtain II could help the Denver Broncos become trendsetters in that regard, using 6 DBs more often than not. You’ve got to get your best 11 on the field as much as possible, and for the Broncos, this is the way to do it.