Patrick Surtain II impressing at Denver Broncos camp
Patrick Surtain II is impressing at Denver Broncos training camp. The NFL legacy cornerback was the team’s first round draft pick in April’s NFL Draft, selected ninth overall out of Alabama.
Broncos head coach Vic Fangio has coached some of the best defensive players the league has ever seen. Yet, even he’s impressed by Surtain II’s ability to handle a wealth of new knowledge. It’s why Fangio is challenging his Top-10 selection at multiple defensive back spots already.
“It’s rare that you would ask a rookie to do that, No. 1, and it’s rare that he’s been able to handle it and do it,” Fangio said, via the team’s official transcript per NFL.com. “Now, he’s not perfected any of them yet, by any means, but we think he can, and it’s not too big for him.”
While his head coach has been complimentary, so have Surtain II’s teammates. Veteran defensive end Bradley Chubb was the Broncos’ first round selection in 2018, fifth overall. He relates better than anyone to what Surtain II is going through as a rookie.
“He’s handled it like a pro,” Chubb said, per NFL.com. “He’s been here. You’ve seen the guys say he’s picking up things like he’s a vet. I see nothing different. He’s carrying himself with a confidence and a swag. That’s what you love to see in a rookie, especially a DB. That position gets challenged a lot, whether it’s deep balls or guarding the best athletes in the world. He’s been doing a really good job with it and we’re excited to see him when the season comes.”
Chubb and Surtain II will be vital to the Broncos’ success in 2021. To have a shot at the AFC West, the team’s defense will have to slow down rival offenses led by players like Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Los Angeles’ Justin Herbert and Las Vegas’ Derek Carr.
An old-school philosophy
While there’s still dangerous talent on the offensive side of the ball, the Broncos have opted for defensive stars over possible franchise quarterbacks.
In 2018, the Broncos selected Chubb over eventual Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. After Denver drafted Surtain II ninth overall, the Chicago Bears selected Justin Fields two picks later. The Broncos are hoping the quarterback tandem of Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater can help the team muster up enough points, while its defense does its part by limiting the opposing offense.
It may be an old-school tactic in an offensive league, but it’s the way the Broncos won Super Bowl 50. The team’s defense was terrific, holding the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers all to under 18 points in their championship run.
‘Taking it day-by-day’
Surtain II will go a long way in the team’s quest to be one of the league’s best defenses. Luckily, the situation isn’t too big for the former Alabama corner.
“I’m just taking it day-by-day, learning every position just in case the team needs me in certain spots,” Surtain said, per NFL.com. “I’m just out here controlling what I can control at the end of the day . . . looking forward to playing the season with my teammates-just building on that, playing my game and being the best player I can be.”
Surtain II’s father played cornerback in the league, where he was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Miami Dolphins. As his son attempts to rise even higher, the Denver Broncos believe in Patrick Surtain II.
Image courtesy of Gregor Shamus / Getty Images via Getty Images