Denver Broncos’ defensive backs Patrick Surtain II and Justin Simmons have both been named to NFL All-Pro teams for the 2022 season. In a lost season, this is a bit of joy for the Broncos and the fanbase.
Patrick Surtain II, in his second season, has made a first team All-Pro. He becomes the youngest in team history to achieve this great milestone. Year two for Surtain was quite special, as he easily established himself as the best cornerback in football.
Teams simply did not throw his way very much in 2022. Taking away one whole side of the field is something that only a few players on planet Earth can do. The 22 year old had two interceptions, 10 passes defended, 60 total tackles and two tackles for loss.
He played and started in all 17 games for the team and will likely become the richest cornerback in the NFL after the 2023 season. This is a monumental moment for Patrick Surtain II, as he’s gotten himself a Pro Bowl and a first team All-Pro nod in the same season.
Someone who should have gotten first team All-Pro recognition is Justin Simmons, who earned a second team All-Pro for the 2022 season.
Unfortunately, Simmons was robbed a bit from first team honors, as one of the first team All-Pro nods for safeties went to Minkah Fitzpatrick, who receives a massive Pittsburgh boost and also does not have noticeably better stats on the season than Simmons.
Simmons also played in less games. Furthermore, Justin Simmons was tied for the league lead in interceptions with six. He also added seven passes defensed, 60 total tackles and two tackles for loss.
However, these are two incredible accomplishments for two incredible players. Patrick Surtain is just scratching the surface for what he can accomplish, and Justin Simmons seems to be getting better with age. The glue of the Denver Broncos secondary is evident.
Hopefully, going into 2023, the defense keeps up their elite level of play and the offense can figure something out, because this defense is plenty good enough to win a Super Bowl.