ESPN rankings have NFL execs raving over Broncos CB Pat Surtain
The Denver Broncos' best player had such a good season that he has NFL executives raving over him.Even a team who has been as bad as the Denver Broncos have been can have a player who is one of the best in the league and is being looked at as the best at his position. […]
The Denver Broncos' best player had such a good season that he has NFL executives raving over him.
Even a team who has been as bad as the Denver Broncos have been can have a player who is one of the best in the league and is being looked at as the best at his position. Pat Surtain, the Broncos' stud cornerback and likely best player, is getting all the praise from anonymous NFL executives, coaches, scouts, and officials.
Every year Jeremy Fowler of ESPN does rankings by position, but he bases the rankings on what executives, coaches, and others around the league say. He then has them all rank the players at each position and compiles it together in a consensus ranking.
Here are a few of the things he gathered from people around the league talking about Pat Surtain:
"The player they say is Surtain," an anonymous exec said. "It's like a changing of the guard.
"Complete corner: physical, technical, versatile," a high-ranking NFL official said. "He's a true matchup guy vs. the best players. Premium ability on press or off coverage. Outstanding open-field tackler. Solid ball skills. Plays with confidence. Really, really smart. And plays disciplined so he doesn't give anything away."
"He's separated himself, and I don't think it's close," an AFC scout said. "If you're picking a team, you're taking him first." –ESPN
The consensus ranking had Surtain as the best cornerback in the league, which means people inside the league thinks he's better than Sauce Gardner, Jalen Ramsey, and everyone else at the position. He is certainly top three, and anywhere below that is asinine. However, I don't have him as the undisputed best at his position.
Then again, most of these guys know more about football than I ever will. Surtain does have an uncanny ability to be left alone on an island and do more than hold his own. He is the best press-man cornerback in the league, and with Vance Joseph now as the defensive coordinator, he will only get better in that style of defense.
Big things in store for Broncos’ Pro Bowl CB Pat Surtain
Tyler Browning views a recent article from The Athletic that talks about the Broncos future at corner.
Featured Image Via Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
