Broncos' Patrick Surtain II proving he's 'best CB in football'

Patrick Surtain II. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

How Broncos' Patrick Surtain II is proving he's 'the best corner in football'

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Oct 8, 2024 5:11 PM ET

Through the Broncos' first five games, cornerback Patrick Surtain II and the rest of Denver's secondary have been the straw stirring their defense's drink.

"This secondary is unbelievable," wrote ESPN's Benjamin Solak on Tuesday. "Pat Surtain II is the best corner in football, but [rookie] Riley Moss also looks like a bonafide CB1. And Ja'Quan McMillian is an excellent slot."

Per Pro Football Focus, Surtain, Moss and McMillian have combined for one touchdown catch allowed and three interceptions through their first five games.

Offenses may be afraid to test the trio, which benefits the rest of the Broncos' defense. Denver (3-2) ranks third in the NFL in sacks (19), third in yards allowed (271.2) and is tied for second in points allowed (14.6).

Surtain seems like the secondary's cornerstone, which was evident in a Week 5 win over the Las Vegas Raiders (2-3). During the 34-18 victory, he logged two interceptions, allowed two catches and forced one incompletion, via PFF.

Pat Surtain II in Week 5:

2 catches allowed
2 interceptions
1 forced incompletion pic.twitter.com/LQg1ur1ZSW
— PFF (@PFF) October 7, 2024

Early in the second quarter vs. Vegas, Surtain intercepted Raiders starting quarterback Gardner Minshew II, returning it for a 100-yard pick-six.

A 100 YARD PICK 6!! @PatSurtainll pic.twitter.com/Xh3CG05U9J
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

The play was a game-changer for Denver. Citing ESPN, Broncos writer Aric DiLalla shared Denver's win probability improved from 19.6 percent to 51.8 percent after the pick.

It's fitting that Surtain exchanged jerseys with Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey, arguably the best CB in Broncos history, before the matchup with the Raiders.

"That was pretty legendary, to say the least," Surtain said in a postgame news conference, per The Atheltic's Nick Kosmider. "That's something I've always wanted to have in the inventory."

Perhaps Surtain could do something Bailey never did in his 15-year career: win Defensive Player of The Year.

Since the award's inception in 1971, only six corners have captured it: Mel Blount, Lester Hayes, Deion Sanders, Rod Woodson, Charles Woodson and Stephon Gilmore.

Surtain has a decent shot at becoming the seventh. As of Tuesday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives him the fourth-best DPOY odds (+1100) behind Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, Pittsburgh Steelers edge-rusher T.J. Watt and Detroit Lions edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson.

If Surtain keeps powering an elite unit and helps Denver make the playoffs for the first time since 2015, he should remain in the DPOY conversation. He could also cement his status as the Broncos' most valuable player.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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