Broncos' HC & Patrick Surtain II React to His Ranking on Top-CB List
When it comes to the media's NFL lists, 'tis the season. From now until the 2023 season starts, publications around the NFL will be turning to the ubiquitous lists to help make hay until there's football being played.
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II, as a reigning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler, is a player who's already made a few offseason lists. One of the most recent was Pro Football Focus' top-32 cornerbacks of 2023, where Surtain checked in at the No. 4 spot, behind Sauce Gardner, Jalen Ramsey, and Darius Slay.
On Thursday, Surtain was asked about where he's falling on these offseason lists.
“I don’t try to get into all that," Surtain said after OTA practice. "I’m just focused on perfecting my craft and focused on what I need to do, and just be able to work towards team success. Doing what’s best for the team."
Surtain seems to have heard of these lists, based on his body language when the question was asked. But kudos to him for not feeding the fire. Sean Payton's influence is being revealed in the restraint that Surtain, and his fellow teammates, have shown at the podium since OTAs began.
For his part, Payton recognizes the rare combination of size and traits Surtain brings to the table.
"He’s long and he’s built [as a] prototype for what you’re looking for in that position," Payton said of Surtain. "He’s got great makeup, he’s tough, he’s smart and the ball finds him. He’s got good ball skills."
Surtain might not be paying attention to the offseason lists, but his head coach is. Perhaps it was his year in NFL media at FOX Sports rubbing off on him, but Payton couldn't resist mentioning the lists that feature Surtain.
"With a few of these corners—it’s funny, I always love this time of the year where everything is getting ranked, and he appears on all those top corner lists," Payton said. "A lot of those guys are younger players, so there are certain positions that can reveal themselves quicker than others. Certainly, we’ve seen that from him. I mentioned the physical [traits], and I mentioned mental [traits]. All those things come together and then you get an elite player, and at corner those are hard to find."
Entering his third year, Surtain has already reached the top of the mountain, from an individual standpoint. Taken with the No. 9 overall pick out of Alabama in 2021, he quickly leapfrogged a few veterans on the Broncos' cornerback depth chart, becoming a starter during his rookie season.
Surtain totaled four interceptions as a rookie and had 14 pass break-ups. In 15 starts, he quickly made a name for himself and popped up boldly on the radar of opposing quarterbacks.
In 2022, Surtain began the year as the Broncos' No. 1 corner, drawing the assignment of covering the opposing team's top wideout. He acquitted himself well, breaking up 10 passes and notching two interceptions, along with 60 combined tackles and a forced fumble.
Having already earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, it's worth wondering how a young player like Surtain keeps himself motivated. Like many of the all-time greats at his position, the focus turns to being a mentor and striving for team success.
“Just keep on being consistent," Surtain said. "Keep on focusing on my craft, what I need to work on. But also, carrying it on toward team success and helping the team win games. That’s why I do it at the end of the day.”
Earlier this offseason, Surtain shared his goal of becoming a more vocal leader in Year 3. On Thursday, he added some context to what that means to him.
“I think it’s basically leading by example, but also coaching guys up, especially the younger guys that we’ve got coming in the DB room," Surtain said. "I feel like that’s a vocal point of mine, just helping the young guys adjust quickly. But make it an easy transition for them because I know how tough it can be [your] rookie year because I experienced that. So just providing that leadership and providing a helping hand for them.”
Surtain will have no shortage of pupils. The Broncos drafted cornerback Riley Moss in the third round this year, and there are several young incumbents champing at the bit to turn a corner in 2023 — guys like Damarri Mathis and Ja'Quan McMillian.
“I can say that they definitely have an edge, a chip on their shoulder," Surtain said of Mathis and McMillian. "They’ve been practicing very well these past couple days of OTAs. ‘JMAC’, Damarri, those guys, they’ve had experience last year playing games. They’re looking to step it up in their second year.”
Having recently turned 23 years old, Surtain's NFL career is just getting started. He's in the early days of his prime, and after seeing what he's accomplished so early, it'll be fun to see just how far he can take his career...
...And where he pops up on the cornerback rankings next year.
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