The Denver Broncos want to take another leap this season.
Quarterback Bo Nix looks poised to build on his impressive rookie campaign, but he’s not their biggest name right now.
Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II is arguably the best defensive back in the game, and judging by his peers, it’s not close at all.
That’s why even a veteran like Baltimore Ravens star Marlon Humphrey had no choice but to tip his hat.
“If I had to write a text book on cornerback play, it’d be Pat Surtain,” Humphrey said. “… There’s very few people that move that smoothly at his height, his size (6-foot-2, 202). It’s like poetry in motion. It’s honestly beautiful to see when he’s in press man, which is what he’s best at. It’s really impressive.”
That’s a massive compliment, especially coming from someone who’s been among the best defensive backs in the game for years.
Surtain is the ultimate shutdown corner.
His ball skills are as impressive as his physicality, and not many players can slow down the best wideouts in the game the way he does.
Of course, football is a team sport, but Surtain is the type of game-changing defensive force that makes an opposing team change its game plan exclusively because of him.
Having him roaming around is threatening enough for quarterbacks not to test him, and when they do, they usually regret it.
Head coach Sean Payton said that he firmly believes in his team’s Super Bowl aspirations.
The Broncos looked strong on both sides of the ball in the preseason, and if Surtain is healthy and doing his thing, you have to like their chances.
NEXT: Brian Callahan Reveals Honest Thoughts On Broncos
