The Denver Broncos have various players who continue to receive widespread recognition despite their record in 2022. For the first time in league history, the NFLPA empowered players to select their first-ever All-Pro teams and Patrick Surtain II made the list.
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II selected as All-Pro First Team by NFL Players
Patrick Surtain II has taken the NFL world by storm in his first two seasons in the league. Humble on the field and off the field, the Denver Broncos’ elite cornerback lets his play speak for him. Other NFL players have noticed this as well.
The NFLPA launched its first-ever player-led All-Pro selection team as voted on by players with Surtain taking home All-Pro First Team honors. What’s different about this voting in comparison to the annual Top 100 Players votes, selection criteria are different.
Various players around the league were tasked with voting for players at their position as part of the criteria. An additional factor was players had to vote for players they lined up against. For example, defensive backs voted for wide receivers and tight ends while wide receivers and tight ends voted for defensive backs.
Surtain and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay were both nominated as All-Pro First-Team selections by their peers. This is a big accolade for the Broncos’ second-year cornerback considering how talented the position is across the league. He started and played in every game for the Broncos this season and covered some of the NFL’s best receivers including Davante Adams (also selected All-Pro First-Team), D.K. Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr, Mike Williams, and DeAndre Hopkins.
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From a production standpoint, Surtain continued to play at an elite level despite having a couple of games where he gave up some plays. He finished the season with two interceptions, and 60 tackles, allowing 45 total receptions on 77 targets. What stands out even further about the Broncos franchise cornerback is how technically refined he is at the position. He understands leverage, alignment, and route combinations based on the splits of opposing wide receivers and lives in the film room.
Throughout this season, Surtain has received praise from Broncos Hall of Famer Champ Bailey, Richard Sherman, and Darius Butler. He was also named by local media as the team’s Demaryius Thomas Team MVP Award for his on-field play in 2022.
Next up, Surtain is in line as a potential All-Pro selection by the Associated Press when they sit down and vote on players late next week.