If the Denver Broncos drop to 1-5 on Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, things could start changing in a hurry in the Mile High City. The Broncos' 2023 season is on life support at this point, and in Week 6 at Arrowhead, things could get to a really dark point if they lose again.
And by dark point, I mean they might have to start considering things like trading away Pat Surtain II. Surtain is an amazing player, arguably the best in the entire NFL at his position. Although that's a great luxury to have on the roster, it might just be exactly that -- a luxury.
While the Denver Broncos may not be actively shopping Pat Surtain II, I do believe teams might come calling with offers that would be really hard to turn down, offers that could set the Broncos up with tremendous (and much-needed) NFL Draft capital for the next couple of years.
5 trade destinations for Denver Broncos CB Pat Surtain II
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys lost star cornerback Trevon Diggs to a season-ending injury and over time, that's going to seriously affect their ability to win big games. The Cowboys haven't exactly been "torched" in the passing game by any team this season (only one game with 250 passing yards allowed) but again, this is a loss that is going to look worse and worse over time, especially as the Cowboys try to keep up with the Eagles in the NFC East.
Dallas could make a ton of sense both in the short and long term for a player like Pat Surtain and if they are truly all in on this season, making an aggressive trade like this could make a lot of sense. The Cowboys typically covet their first-round picks and they do a good job with investing in them, but they might be willing to do a trade like this for the right player, and there was a lot of smoke connecting the Cowboys and PS2 in 2021 when he was coming out of Alabama.
2. Buffalo Bills
Just like the Dallas Cowboys, the Buffalo Bills lost a star cornerback to a season-ending injury. Tre'Davious White went down with a season-ending injury and obviously the Bills are going to need to find ways to replace his presence and production in their secondary if they are going to be legitimate contenders in the AFC this season.
And this is undoubtedly a team that views itself as an immediate contender and threat to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC.
I could see the Bills getting a little aggressive and making a deal for a player like Surtain. What do the draft picks matter to them at this point? Their roster is loaded. A player like Surtain helps them tremendously now, and they could pair him up with White on the outside when he's healthy again.
3. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are one of the most selectively aggressive teams in the NFL. They saw an opportunity to trade for Trent Williams, and they took it. They saw an opportunity to trade for Christian McCaffrey, and now they've won 15 straight regular season games.
The 49ers are exceptional at roster building and player development, and I think a player like Pat Surtain II would take this team to a completely new level. They already have a loaded defense, but with Brock Purdy still on his rookie deal, the 49ers could justify not only trading for Surtain, but paying him.
And the Broncos have plenty of history of doing deals with the 49ers.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
If there is a big-name player available, you can bet Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman is going to be in on it. The Philadelphia Eagles had the Kansas City Chiefs within an inch of their lives in last year's Super Bowl. Why would the Eagles not explore any potential move to get this team over the proverbial hump?
I could absolutely see Howie Roseman looking at his older group of cornerbacks with Darius Slay and James Bradberry, and viewing Pat Surtain II as a player he can have as a foundational roster piece for years to come. The Eagles have had enough first-round picks in recent years to make up for it, they have their QB in place, they have other critical pieces in place...
They can afford to make a big move like this.
5. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions, like a number of other teams on this list, recently lost a key cornerback (Emmanuel Moseley) to injury. Injuries can often spark some big-time action when it comes to trade deadline deals, and the Lions look like they are ready to capture an NFC North title for the first time in...who knows how long?
I'm not sure Detroit is quite in a position to just mortgage their future, but for the right player, I think they could make a bold move like this. Detroit has key positions figure out like their offensive line, pass rush, and receiver position. The secondary has plagued this team and I could see GM Brad Holmes viewing Surtain as a similar investment to the one the LA Rams made (when Holmes was still there) once upon a time in Jalen Ramsey.
Bonus: Miami Dolphins
How could we forget to bring up the Miami Dolphins? In all seriousness, the Dolphins might be the team that makes the most sense for Pat Surtain II.
This is a team Surtain's father once played for. Surtain is a Miami native. Vic Fangio, the Dolphins' defensive coordinator, was in Denver when Surtain was drafted by the Broncos, and he absolutely loves him.
The Dolphins don't have Jalen Ramsey right now, who is out with injury. Xavien Howard isn't getting any younger. The Dolphins had to let go of Byron Jones this offseason due to injuries. They traded former first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene after he didn't work out for them. Surtain would be a long-term piece for the Dolphins at an area that could soon become a critical area of weakness, and could potentially cost the Dolphins in the playoffs.
Plus, the Dolphins and Broncos are already on good business terms. The Dolphins made a blockbuster deal with Denver at last year's trade deadline to acquire Bradley Chubb, so this line of communication is very much open. The Dolphins have also proven that they are willing to pay premium prices when it comes to draft capital to acquire certain players (Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, Jalen Ramsey, etc.).
I think Miami would be a preferred landing spot from Surtain's perspective as well as a great potential landing spot for Denver. You never know, he might help knock the Chiefs out of the playoffs after all.