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Pat Surtain II
CB · DEN

Pat Surtain II

Position CB
Team DEN
Bye Week —
PPR Rank —

Pat Surtain II

NFL player. Position: CB. Team: DEN.

Quick Facts

  • Position: CB
  • Team: DEN (Denver Broncos)
  • Status: Best cornerback in the NFL (2026)

2026 Outlook

Pat Surtain II has solidified his status as the elite shutdown cornerback in the NFL entering 2026. ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell identified Surtain as "comfortably the best cornerback in football," with penalty yardage as the only real hole in his otherwise elite coverage. Surtain anchors the Broncos' defense, which ranked 3rd in scoring prevention in 2025 and is projected to be a top-5 unit again in 2026 (per Which Broncos Would Command First-Round Picks In Trades?).

Trade value: Surtain would command at least two first-round picks in a trade—potentially more than the Jets received for Sauce Gardner (who fetched two first-rounders). The premium reflects his elite coverage ability and consistent production as the Broncos' primary cornerstone defender (per Which Broncos Would Command First-Round Picks In Trades?).

August 2026 preseason update: Surtain was ranked 10th overall in the NFL's Top 100 player rankings, the latest confirmation of his elite status entering his prime years at age 25. Coming off a 2025 season where he won Defensive Player of the Year, Surtain recorded just 1 interception and 12 passes defended, proving that elite coverage translates to fewer big plays rather than higher volume stats. The defense improved year-over-year with Surtain anchoring the secondary (per Denver Broncos: Pat Surtain II ranked 10th in NFL's Top 100).

Role / Depth Chart

Elite shutdown cornerback, primary coverage option on Broncos defense.

Injury Status

Week 4 ankle injury, IR candidate (Oct 7): Surtain did not practice Wednesday heading into Week 5 vs Chargers. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Surtain could be a candidate for injured reserve, which would sideline him for at least four games. Coach Sean Payton indicated uncertainty about IR decisions, saying he would wait until later in the week to announce any placements. If sidelined, Jahdae Barron (2025 1st round) and Kris Abrams-Draine will step in as outside cornerbacks. In 2025, Broncos went 3-0 without Surtain during a prior pectoral injury, limiting man coverage and dialing back blitz rate to minimize one-on-one coverage for backup corners. Barron is getting a significant audition for potential future role (per Broncos injury report: 3 players not practicing ahead of Chargers game)

Week 4 ankle injury, short-term expected (Oct 4-5): Surtain suffered ankle injury late in second quarter vs 49ers Week 4 and did not return. NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported Surtain avoided long-term injury. Needed two trainers to help him to locker room and appeared to be walking with difficulty (per Pat Surtain II injury update: Broncos star CB has reportedly avoided a long-term injury)

Week 4 injury (Oct 4): Suffered non-contact injury in second quarter against 49ers. Initial concern was season-ending, but NFL insider Tom Pelissero reports Surtain avoided long-term injury. Expected to miss time and possibly land on IR, but not career-threatening. Needed two trainers to help him to locker room and appeared to be walking with difficulty. Exact injury and timeline TBD pending official team evaluation (per Pat Surtain II injury update: Broncos star CB has reportedly avoided a long-term injury).

August 10 training camp update: Surtain was practicing on the sideline during Day 9 of training camp, likely dealing with a soft-tissue injury. This marks the fifth starter affected by strain injuries since pads went on. The injury appears minor and Surtain is expected to be ready for the regular season (per Broncos Camp Day 9: More Injured Starters - Sports Illustrated).

Week 6 status update (Oct 12): Surtain was listed as a non-participant on the estimated injury report heading into Thursday's short-week matchup against Seattle, having missed the previous game against the Chargers. He continues to deal with his Week 4 ankle injury from the 49ers game, and the short-week turnaround makes his availability questionable. Jahdae Barron and Kris Abrams-Draine continue to fill in, though Surtain's absence significantly impacts Denver's secondary effectiveness against Jaxon Smith-Njigba (per Week 6 Injury Report: Seahawks at Broncos - Seattle Seahawks).

Recent News

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