ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Providing they have a Brinks truck or two on call for back up, the Denver Broncos could be set at one cornerback position for the next five to seven years.
But Pat Surtain II will be costly.
The Broncos’ No. 9 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft out of then mighty Alabama, Surtain has lived up to expectations as he has been named to two Pro Bowls each of the past two years, although he wasn’t an All Pro selection, as he was in 2022.
Surtain will make nearly $21 million through his first four NFL seasons and in 2025, he is tentatively scheduled to make $19.802 million providing the Broncos pick up his fifth-year option as expected by May 2.
Sure, Surtain can be a bit more aggressive in seeking the interception but he covers receivers like Florida humidity on skin. And even if he’s a finesse-type player as most cover corners are, Surtain has also been sure tackler.
Now for the other outside cornerback position. The Broncos thought they had their ideal complementary corner in Damarri Mathis, who had a nice rookie season in 2022 as a fourth-round draft pick. But with Surtain on the other side, opponents went after Mathis early this season and he struggled to the point he was benched after the Broncos’ week 6 loss at Kansas City.
The Broncos then started seven-year veteran Fabian Moreau in the final 11 games. A noticeable upgrade for most of his stint, Moreau started to slow some in the final month of the season. He is an unrestricted free agent so the Broncos are expected to try and find another one either through free agency, the draft, or continued development of Mathis his third year and Riley Moss in his second.
The Broncos did seem to hit at the nickel position with undrafted Ja’Quan McMillian demonstrating in his second season a knack for interceptions and forcing fumbles. McMillian’s infectious energy and takeaway skill keyed a four-game stretch where the Denver defense forced 15 turnovers against the Chiefs, Bills, Vikings and Browns.
Another nickel corner, K’Waun Williams, missed the entire 2023 season with an ankle injury and is about to hit free agency.
The 2024 season may also make a concerted effort to advance Moss into more playing time. The Broncos traded up to take Moss out of Iowa in the third round last year, but his rookie season was thwarted by a training camp abdominal surgery. He did return to contribute on special teams, but he was drafted with the idea of eventually becoming a starting outside cornerback.
If they go outside their roster, the Broncos will have plenty of cornerbacks to choose from in free agency although the team may be patient and let the first wave or two get signed before jumping in.
In the draft, cornerbacks who could go in the third- to fifth-round range include Notre Dame’s Cam Hart, Oregon’s Khyree Jackson, Michigan’s Mike Sainristil, Wake Forest’s Caelen Carson and TCU’s Josh Burton, among others.
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