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For the second straight year, Denver Broncos star cornerback Patrick Surtain II has been recognized as the best player at his position.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed the results of his annual poll on Thursday, and NFL coaches, executives and scouts voted Surtain as the No. 1 cornerback in the NFL entering the 2024 season. Cleveland Browns star Denzel Ward nabbed the No. 2 spot and New York Jets star Sauce Gardner was ranked No. 3.
The full top 10 is as follows:
Surtain garnered over 50 percent of first-place votes, Fowler noted. The 24-year-old was named to his second straight Pro Bowl last season after posting 69 total tackles, 12 passes defended and an interception.
“Complete corner that can play in any coverage and has size, instincts, ball skills and will tackle,” an NFL personnel director said of Surtain. “I like the corners that can do it all.”
Ward made a leap from being ranked No. 9 heading into the 2023 season to No. 2 this year. He was targeted 63 times and allowed just 31 receptions for 290 yards and no touchdowns while recording two interceptions.
“Fast, fluid, with upper-tier coverage skills and high football IQ,” an NFL personnel evaluator said. “Can create ball production in man or zone but can match up against just about any No. 1 receiver due to his size and speed. And he has the elite movement skills to cover in the slot when asked.”
Gardner has taken just two seasons to establish himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. His numbers were slightly down in 2023 following his outstanding rookie year, but he still was targeted just 57 times last year and allowed 366 yards and two touchdowns. While he only has two career interceptions, it’s a testament to how opposing quarterbacks avoid him on the field.
“He doesn’t get a lot of balls thrown at him,” a scouting director with an NFL team said. “He locks down and has been that good where teams throw away and don’t test him. That alone tells me something.”
