Four Denver Broncos made the PFWA All-NFL team in 2024.

The Broncos made the playoffs for the first time in eight years this season, and it was largely in part to individual greatness from many players.

Deservedly, the team’s best players have been honored in recent weeks, and those awards may keep rolling in.

4 Denver Broncos make PFWA All-NFL team: Pat Surtain, Nik Bonitto, Quinn Meinerz, and Marvin Mims

Last week, the Associated Press All-Pro teams were announced, and five Denver players made the cut. Patrick Surtain, Quinn Meinerz, and Marvin Mims were First-Team All-Pro, while Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen each made Second-Team All-Pro.

Most of them, save Allen, made the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-NFL team this morning.

It seems crazy, but Surtain was left off their 2023 team, and only made the PFWA All-AFC team in 2022. This year, the Broncos superstar asserted himself as the best cornerback in the league. Surtain racked up four interceptions and an NFL-high 132 return yards, including that iconic 100-yard pick-6. He also allowed only a 58.9 passer rating against, and was targeted a career-low 62 times.

Meinerz went from a solid right guard to known as the best right guard in the game this year. His 87.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus was third-best among guards, and he allowed only one sack this season. Meinerz went from a road grader only to an accomplished pass-blocking guard this season.

This was Mims’ second straight season as arguably the best punt return man in the NFL. But he did enjoy a nice breakout as a receiver in the second half of 2024.

And finally, Bonitto basically became a household name for his consistent pass rushing all season long as well as his splash plays. Bonitto was third in the league in sacks, with 13.5, relentlessly attacking opposing QBs. He also scored twice, on a 71-yard pick-6 and a 50-yard fumble-6. Bonitto could be this team’s new Von Miller if he continues at this pace.

Rewind to 2023 and the Broncos had zero PFWA All-NFL team members, and only one Second-Team All-Pro in Mims.

Pat Surtain for Defensive Player of the Year?

All year long, T.J. Watt was the odds-on favorite for AP Defensive Player of the Year. Then, in Week 17, Surtain became the favorite.

Surtain remains the favorite and would be only the second Broncos player to ever win the award.

The first?

None other than the newest Denver Broncos player in the Professional Football Hall of Fame, Randy Gradishar. Gradishar won Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, the year after Denver’s first-ever Super Bowl appearance.

Von Miller was the runner up for the award in 2012 and 2016. J.J. Watt–T.J.’s brother–was the near-unanimous winner in 2012, with 49 votes to Miller’s 1. In 2016, Miller lost to Khalil Mack by one, measly vote.

Also, Champ Bailey came in second in 2006, the year he had 10 interceptions to lead the league. Jason Taylor won with 22 votes (16 for Champ) that year.

Watt had another solid season, but it wasn’t even a top-6 for him in terms of sacks (11.5) and fifth-most in his career in QB hits (27). His 11.5 sacks were tied for eighth-most this year, though he did lead the league in forced fumbles with six.

Watt’s reputation precedes him a bit at this point. Yes, he’s one of the best defenders in the NFL today, but this year has been just fine, not stellar. In fact, one could argue that Bonitto had a better year (13.5 sacks, 2 TDs, 24 QB hits). But Watt was Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, and runner up in 2020 and 2022.

Of note, each of those years he was a First-Team All-Pro, but was only Second-Team All-Pro this year.

The annual awards will be announced on Thursday, Feb. 6, three days before Super Bowl LIX.