Denver Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II’s Advice to 2022 NFL Draft Class: ‘Prepare the Right Way’

In roughly one week, GM George Paton may have his second crack at drafting the subsequent era of Denver Broncos. This time final yr, Paton and firm had been making ready to draft former Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II with the ninth total decide. 

Whereas some critics rolled their eyes after the first-year GM handed on quarterbacks Justin Fields and Mac Jones, it was Paton who in the end had the final chuckle after Surtain produced a stellar rookie season. The previous 2020 SEC Defensive Participant of the 12 months appeared in each recreation as a rookie, beginning 15 contests for Denver. 

Surtain logged 58 tackles (45 solo), 14 passes defensed, 4 interceptions, and returned one to the home for his first profession pick-six, which earned AFC Defensive Participant of the Week (12) along with being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Staff. The 22-year-old is the son of three-time Professional Bowler and two-time All-Professional cornerback Patrick Surtain, who performed for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. 

The 45-year-old former NFL star coached his son in highschool and is now again within the NFL after accepting a defensive teaching assistant place in Miami underneath new head coach Mike McDaniel. After voluntary OTAs, Surtain was requested on Tuesday what recommendation he’d give the 2022 NFL draft class.

“Simply to organize the best approach,” Surtain stated. “Deal with your self like a professional and are available in day in and day trip like a professional. It’s about treating your physique proper and people little issues. That’ll assist you to final for the season.”

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Richard Sherman, a former perennial All-Professional cornerback in Seattle, referred to as Surtain’s rookie movie, “educate tape,” and stated he expects large issues from ‘PS2’ in 2022. Surtain’s excessive stage of play is the league’s worst saved secret. He can be challenged, although, towards the AFC West’s elite playmakers like Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders), Keenan Allen (Los Angeles Chargers), and Travis Kelce (Kansas Metropolis Chiefs).

“I’m getting extra snug across the gamers and creating into a pacesetter this time round,” Surtain stated when requested about his largest stage of progress heading into 12 months 2. “I do know the schemes and what to anticipate. I’m simply getting extra snug. The primary yr, I used to be getting my toes moist a bit of bit, however now I can see myself rising each day.”

A part of the comfortability for Surtain was with the Broncos’ new teaching employees led by head coach Nathaniel Hackett retaining defensive backs coach Christian Parker. Parker labored beforehand underneath Vic Fangio as a defensive assistant however now finds himself on new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s employees teaching his place speciality. 

Parker was considered one of solely two defensive coaches Hackett opted to retain from Fangio’s employees with former D-line coach Invoice Kollar sticking round, albeit in a lesser, advisor function. Maintaining Parker was a boon to the secondary, as Surtain defined.

“He helped me put together lots final yr, so having him once more can be helpful from a secondary standpoint,” Surtain unhappy. 

Whereas the adjustments to the entrance workplace, teaching employees, and roster are thrilling and lengthy overdue, there’s quite a lot of unknowns together with the model of Evero. The previous Los Angeles Rams secondary coach and passing recreation coordinator is sizzling off the path of profitable a Tremendous Bowl underneath head coach Sean McVay and was handpicked by Hackett to guide Denver’s protection. Naturally, the previous first-rounder was requested about his new coordinator.

“He’s a really energetic coach and a really optimistic coach,” Surtain stated. “He’s very enthused inside the group and he’s locked in with the group. He’s very excited for this yr, and I can inform simply by the best way he comes within the assembly rooms with all that vitality. I’m simply excited to work with him.”

Certainly one of my favourite features of Surtain’s recreation is his preparation. This younger man appears to go the additional mile on and off the sphere to make sure that each physique and thoughts are as sharp as potential to provide the specified outcomes. 

Surtain actually walked off the Alabama follow fields and into the NFL final yr and didn’t miss a beat as he was challenged to be taught a number of cornerback positions together with the perimeter and slot. He is already confirmed to be a tough and humble teammate that reveals as much as work day-after-day able to get higher. 

These qualities are precisely what earned Surtain the respect of veteran teammates and established voices within the locker room. He is not a rookie and won’t be requested to sing his former faculty’s combat music, or carry his teammates pads at follow. As a substitute, Surtain is a transcendent expertise whose aim is now to guide.

“It’s about getting into that management function and studying from guys like ‘Okay-Jack’ [safety Kareem Jackson], [safety] Justin Simmons, [OLB] Bradley Chubb and all these dudes,” Surtain defined. “I’m going to take it at some point at a time and simply develop each day.”

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