Patrick Surtain- Denver Broncos cornerback
The Broncos were quite happy when they selected Patrick Surtain with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 draft, but it was thought that he might be brought along slowly behind such veterans as Kyle Fuller, Ronald Darby and Bryce Callahan.
But when he intercepted a pass in a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings and took it to the house, it was clear the Broncos had found a special player.
Cornerbacks are as important to today’s NFL roster as any position due to the way teams like to air the ball out in the passing game and against the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Derek Carr, having a top-flight corner is going to be of extreme importance.
The Broncos have one.
Surtain is just 22 years old and is coming off of a strong rookie season that included four interceptions. He returned one of those for a touchdown as well.
Surtain will be among the top building blocks on this Denver team for years to come and should have a chance to be the team’s No. 1 cornerback for as long as guys like Champ Bailey and Chris Harris manned that position.