Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II Predicted to Be MVP Candidate?

When talking about potential MVP candidates on each NFL team, the marque quarterbacks draw most of the attention and control the proceedings. When it comes to the Denver Broncos, Russell Wilson is that guy and still holds the key to the team's success.

However, NFL.com's Eric Edholm opted to dig a little deeper by leaving out quarterbacks to find out who the next potential MVP might be on each team. Edholm perhaps unsurprisingly reached for All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II when the Broncos rolled around, pegging the 23-year-old as the man who might just shine the brightest on the 2023 squad.

Cornerback is a valuable position, no doubt, but is it a team-MVP-type spot? In Surtain's case, we say yes. Somehow, he seems to be underrated, despite following a terrific rookie season (four picks, one returned for a TD, with 14 passes defensed) with an even

better

2022 effort (earning Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors) while also being the son of a darned good NFL player. It doesn't make sense, even if the Broncos have been pretty poor the past two seasons.

The arrival of Sean Payton will help. He will coax more wins out of this team, guaranteed. The TV schedulers seem to agree: They tabbed Denver for four prime-time slots this season.

All this will put a bigger spotlight on just how good Surtain is. He also could earn more elite-CB assignments; the new coaching staff has even tinkered with using Surtain as a punt returner. It appears they have big plans for him this season, and it's easy to see why.

What happens next for the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

How Surtain might get more involved will likely come down to how he's deployed by new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph rather than playing on special teams. Such is Surtain's huge value to the team. Risking potential injury would be a classic case of unnecessarily playing with fire. Surtain returning punts in practice is a fail-safe. Nothing more.

Payton is savvy enough to pull rank on his special teams assistants if he has to and leave it to Joseph to unleash Surtain's superstar defensive talent. As NFL.com quite rightly points out, Surtain can thank his new head coach for providing the Broncos with the prime-time television platform a total of four times.

Should the former Alabama star successfully showcase his prodigious talents, Surtain's profile on the national stage will go through the roof. Of course, Surtain is already an established Pro Bowler and All-Pro as things currently stand, but the extra shine the TV cameras provide will be greatly appreciated by Surtain, especially when it comes to negotiating his next contract.

Down through the years, the likes of Louis Wright, Champ Bailey, and Chris Harris, Jr. have spoiled generations of Broncos fans with their imperious levels of cornerback performance. It's a safe bet that Surtain is next in line to be anointed in such rarefied company, but he's got to remain consistent and relish pulling the toughest of assignments.

In a division dominated by Patrick Mahomes, whether or not Surtain develops into a true behemoth of the game might not only help him garner team MVP honors but also potentially hold the additional key to Denvver's success.

Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!