Denver Broncos: 5 players that need to step up big vs. Jaguars

5 Denver Broncos players who must step up vs. Jaguars

2. Pat Surtain II, CB

It’s hard to say that the week one game against the Giants was a bad outing for Pat Surtain II, but everyone is going to remember his missed tackle on Giants receiver Sterling Shepard.

That is a chip I believe Surtain will be carrying on his shoulder heading into the week two matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Even though the Broncos would have found ways to get him on the field anyway, the injury to Ronald Darby has paved the way for Pat Surtain II to get an extensive look at playing the outside cornerback position, which he will do against the Jaguars’ talented receiver group.

Surtain is going to be tested by a variety of types of receivers. DJ Chark with his vertical speed, Laviska Shenault who is a bully after the catch, and Marvin Jones who is a savvy veteran and route runner.

Surtain will have his hands full, but I think we can trust Vic Fangio and the defensive coaching staff to put Surtain in a great position to succeed against a rookie QB, even one as good as Trevor Lawrence.

Vic Fangio is 18-9 against rookie QBs as a defensive coordinator or head coach, and Surtain is a guy who was brought in to help him get to 19-9 this week.

The Broncos picked Surtain over a couple of talented QB prospects and this week against the Jaguars is a huge opportunity for the rookie to show them that they made the right call.