The Associated Press 2022 NFL All-Pro team has been announced, and two Denver Broncos — Patrick Surtain II and Justin Simmons — have made the list.
After already being named to the players’ All-Pro team, earlier this week, Patrick Surtain II adds to list of accolades by becoming the second-youngest cornerback to ever be named a first-team All-Pro. The only cornerback younger to ever earn the honor is Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, who is the AP’s other first-team cornerback this season.
Outside of those two, Ronnie Lott is the only other 22-year-old to earn first-team All-Pro honors at the cornerback position.
Patrick Surtain II’s inclusion on the list also marks the first time since 2016 (Von Miller, Aqib Talib, and Chris Harris Jr.) that the Denver Broncos boast a first-team All-Pro on their roster.
Surtain earned this honor by locking down some of the league’s best receivers. From D.K. Metcalf to Hollywood Brown to Davante Adams, and every body type in between, Surtain played a bevy of elite receivers, and turned in ace performances in 15 of his 17 outings.
Also, the fact Surtain is the only cornerback listed on the first team for both the Associated Press and the players’ list is pretty special, and could be used as yet another differentiation point between PS2 and his peers.
Simmons was also named an All-Pro for the third time in his NFL career, thanks, in part, to tying the league-lead for interceptions despite only appearing in 12 games.
Although Simmons missed out on first-team honors yet again, earning any All-Pro spot still marks quite the achievement.
Only one active safety has been named to more All-Pro teams than Justin Simmons (Tyrann Mathieu) and only six active safeties, including Simmons, have earned the title three times over their entire careers (Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jamal Adams, Budda Baker, and Devin McCourty), and Simmons has as good a chance as many to continue to build to his tally.
On top of that, Simmons played the fewest games (12) of anyone to make either first-team or second-team All-Pro, further evidencing how impressive his season was.
He set career-high marks in interceptions and turnover opportunities created, despite playing in nearly 30% less games than he does in a typical season. Remarkable.
Between these two players, the Denver Broncos have the foundation for an elite secondary for years to come.