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CB · DEN

Patrick Surtain II

Position CB
Team DEN
Bye Week —
PPR Rank —

Patrick Surtain II

NFL player. Position: CB (cornerback). Team: DEN.

Quick Facts

  • Position: CB (cornerback)
  • Team: DEN (Denver Broncos)
  • Status: 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, four-time Pro Bowler

2026 Outlook

Patrick Surtain II is widely regarded as the NFL's top cornerback heading into 2026. In 2025, despite missing three games due to a pectoral injury, he earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection and recorded elite coverage numbers: just one touchdown allowed on 63 targets across 572 coverage snaps. According to Next Gen Stats, pass catchers averaged only 2.1 yards of separation when targeted against Surtain—ranking second league-wide behind only Philadelphia's Quinyon Mitchell (1.8 yards). (per Patrick Surtain II's latest numbers show why he remains the NFL's gold standard)

His elite ability to attach to receivers and handle top passing threats gives Denver's defense flexibility in designing pressure packages and creative safety alignments. Surtain's consistency, individual recognition, and sustained production make a compelling case for him remaining the NFL's gold standard at the position heading into 2026.

The Ringer's cornerback archetype analysis positions Surtain as "The Prototype"—a tier above all other corners in the league. At 26 years old with 6-foot-2, 32½-inch arms, 4.4 speed, and elite ball-tracking skills, Surtain is built for cornerback excellence. He leads the league in tight-window throws forced and lines up against his opponent's leading receiver at the fifth-highest rate. Over his five-year career, he's been targeted just 387 times and picked off or batted away 18 percent of those throws—well above the NFL average (per The Five Archetypes of the Modern NFL Cornerback - The Ringer)).

Role / Depth Chart

Starting cornerback for Denver. Handles the Broncos' top receiving threat and operates as the anchor of Denver's elite defense.

Injury Status

Week 6 ruled out (Oct 15): Surtain II has been ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Seattle Seahawks, continuing his recovery from the ankle injury sustained in Week 4. His absence forces Denver to adjust its defensive scheme—without Surtain's elite coverage ability matched against Seattle's top receivers, the Broncos lose the flexibility to use creative pressure packages and must rely more heavily on safety support over the top. Starting cornerback Levi Wallace will draw an increased workload covering Seattle's receiving threats. (per Broncos vs. Seahawks live updates: Can Denver gets it's offense rolling vs. tough Seattle defense? - CBS Sports and Broncos lose two defensive stars before Seahawks game as Thursday Night Football matchup takes unexpected turn - Yahoo Sports)

Week 4 ankle injury (Oct 2026): Surtain II suffered a non-contact ankle injury in the second quarter of Week 4 vs. the 49ers. Per NFL Week 4 injury panic meter: Concern for Ja'Marr Chase as Lamar Jackson gets good news - CBS Sports, Surtain is expected to miss time with the ankle injury, likely a couple of weeks or potentially an IR stint, but it is NOT expected to be season-ending. Initial fears of a season-ender have been allayed. Further evaluation on Monday will determine the timeline, but the injury doesn't appear to be structurally catastrophic.

Prior: Pectoral injury suffered in 2025 season but has recovered. No injury concerns noted as of late August 2026.

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