Pat Surtain Ii

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		80	12	59	279
2025		14	1	12	47
2024		16	4	11	45
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Pat Surtain II's $24M deal lands at a C Contract Value Index, signaling a measured outcome for Denver. At age 26 with a B+ performance grade anchored by his 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award, Surtain is operating at an elite threshold—the kind of corner who warrants top-tier respect in the marketplace—yet the four-year, $24M average annual value reflects the reality that even franchise-caliber cornerbacks occupy a crowded tier where premium production doesn't always command premium dollars relative to positional peers. His 2025 season of 47 tackles and 1 INT across 14 games demonstrates sustained reliability in coverage, and the recent $5M salary restructure underscores Denver's organizational confidence in his long-term fit, especially with Sean Payton's arrival signaling a fresh commitment to defensive architecture. The CVI grade acknowledges the tension between Surtain's undeniable elite standing—affirmed by his A sentiment grade and media positioning as a cornerstone secondary piece—and a contract structure that neither overpays nor underpays for his caliber, landing squarely in fair-market territory for a proven cornerstone talent in his prime window. For a 5-year veteran who has delivered consecutive seasons of high-impact play without injury concern or locker-room friction, the deal is neither a steal nor a burden; it's a pragmatic reflection of what elite-tier cornerback production costs in the modern NFL.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Pat's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Pat Surtain II remains one of Denver's defensive anchors as a five-year veteran and first-round caliber cornerback anchoring the Broncos' secondary. The 26-year-old has logged 80 career games and established himself as a reliable, scheme-versatile defender in the AFC West. Though his current-season grade sits at B-, his body of work reflects a player performing above that snapshot, capable of shutdown coverage stretches and consistent tackle production. This season, Surtain's pass defense metrics tell a mixed story. His pass deflection rate of 0.86 per game ranks elite territory, well above the NFL average of 0.33 and nearly matching the elite benchmark of 0.91—evidence his hands and positioning remain sharp. However, his interception rate has slipped to 0.07 per game, trailing the NFL average of 0.10, signaling fewer ball-hawking opportunities or conversion efficiency concerns. His tackle volume of 3.36 per game exceeds the NFL average of 2.31, demonstrating above-average run support and sideline-to-sideline range that fits Denver's defensive scheme. Looking ahead, Surtain's trajectory warrants close monitoring. A three-year descent from B- grades (2025, 2024, 2023) suggests either scheme fit questions or age-related regression—unlikely for a 26-year-old. If interception opportunities improve and he sustains his elite deflection rate into 2026, he can stabilize as a true No. 1 corner. His ceiling remains a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerstone; the floor is a solid starter in need of system adjustment or secondary health reinforcement.

How Pat Compares at the Position

Pat Surtain Ii ranks 31st of 272 graded cornerbacks by performance. That slots Pat between Dax Hill (B+) just ahead and Trent Mcduffie (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Public perception of Pat Surtain II sits at an A sentiment grade, capturing how the Denver Broncos fan base and beat writers are framing his role. The narrative centers squarely on elite-tier respect: media consistently positions him as one of the league's premier shutdown cornerbacks, citing his 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award and a five-year track record of consistent, high-impact coverage that has made him a defensive cornerstone for Denver. The recent reunion with former Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle has injected genuine excitement into his profile, adding a human-interest layer that resonates across both fan bases and national media. His successful recovery from a pectoral injury without requiring injured reserve time has reinforced the organizational confidence narrative, though some coverage has touched on speculative trade scenarios and cap structure discussions—yet those conversations read as typical front-office roster-management discourse rather than any erosion of respect for Surtain himself. The gap between his A-grade sentiment and B+ performance grade reflects the league's perception of him as a franchise-caliber talent operating at an elite threshold, and the recent signing of head coach Sean Payton only strengthens the framing of Surtain as a cornerstone piece in Denver's defensive identity moving forward.