The Denver Broncos need their rookie class to continue to step up in a big way against the Jacksonville Jaguars. We take stock of the class in week 2.
If the Denver Broncos are going to be 2-0 come Sunday afternoon, they are going to need help from their 2021 rookie class. The Broncos drafted a number of players that were expected to make an instant impact, but the pressure will be on in this game against the Jaguars for the rookies to help get the Denver Broncos to a place they haven’t been in what feels like forever — 2-0.
It’s only been one week for these young players in their NFL career, but we could see some big-time contributions in this week two matchup.
How did these rookies fare in week one (if they played at all) and how much of an impact can we expect in Jacksonville?
Let’s take a stock report of the Denver Broncos 2021 rookie class leading up to this game against the Jaguars.
Denver Broncos rookie stock report vs. Jaguars
1. Pat Surtain II, CB
Stock: UP
This game against the Jacksonville Jaguars is hugely important for the Denver Broncos’ first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, cornerback Pat Surtain II.
Surtain’s most memorable play in week one against the New York Giants was certainly one he will want to quickly erase from the memory of Broncos Country as he missed a tackle in pursuit of Sterling Shepard on a play that resulted in the Giants’ only legitimate touchdown of the game.
The gaffe aside, Surtain didn’t play as much in week one as many anticipated he might with only 16 snaps.
Considering what the Denver Broncos passed on to take Surtain, he needs to be playing more than 16 snaps and in week two, he will.
Unfortunately, it will be at the expense of veteran Ronald Darby, who suffered a hamstring injury that landed him on temporary IR.
Surtain is trending up for week two as he prepares for a full-time role on the outside as opposed to floating around the formation and playing only in the dime package.