Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain could make big name for himself in Week 2

Denver Broncos first-round pick Patrick Surtain will get his first career start in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

For the Broncos, they hope it will be the first of many for the team. But thus far, the team has been easing him into a regular role with the team as he played on just 26 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in Week 1.

Vic Fangio and his staff have taken a very calculated approach with the development of the rookie, who was last year’s Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC.

After the Broncos signed Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby in free agency, many were surprised to see the team still use its first-round pick on a cornerback, especially when a guy like Justin Fields was available.

But now that Darby has landed on injured reserve and will miss at least a few games, the team is going to be pushed to put Surtain out on the field a lot more. That starts Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This is a great first matchup for Surtain, who will go against a rookie quarterback and a team that struggled in the season opener against the Houston Texans. No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence three three interceptions in his pro debut and Surtain will be lurking.

Patrick Surtain has faced Trevor Lawrence before

Surtain does have the experience of going up against Lawrence in college, as Alabama and Clemson faced off in the College Football Playoff for the national championship following the 2018 college season.

Surtain watched as Lawrence and his Tigers put 44 points on the scoreboard that night. Surtain finished with one tackle and one pass deflection. This is his chance to get a small measure of revenge.

Can you imagine if Surtain could do this to Lawrence?

Now that was against Jake Browning, who is far from Lawrence, but if ‘PS2’ could make a play like that against the first overall pick in this year’s draft in his first game ever at TIAA Bank Field, it could keep him on the field for good.

Surtain is one of a handful of players who needs to step up this week, but his inclusion in the game plan and subsequent performance on the field, particularly after he missed a big tackle last week against Sterling Shepard, will be one of the big storylines to follow on Sunday.