2021 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Football Team goes offense in Round 1

The Broncos could use some extra help at the cornerback position. Slot-man Bryce Callahan has been a disappointment to date, playing in just 10 games during his two years with the team as a result of several injuries. Meanwhile, A.J. Bouye has one year left on his deal and is set to turn 30 in August (and to note, Callahan will turn 30 in October).

While rookie Michael Ojemudia looked good last year, the Broncos are going to have to add a potential starter across from him at some point soon. With the way this draft is falling, Surtain could be a good option here.

Surtain was a three-year playmaker for Alabama and was extremely effective as an outside starter during his years with the program. Each year, he had at least seven pass defenses and had four total interceptions in those three years.

For the most part, teams tried to avoid throwing Surtain’s way because of how good he was in coverage. He stuck to receivers like glue and that made teams turn more in the direction of Josh Jobe. That’s one of the reasons that the ‘Bama defense found success. One half of their defense was usually in good shape thanks to the steady play of Surtain.

It also helps Surtain that his father (Patrick Surtain Sr.) had a decade-long NFL career and picked off 37 passes. So, he was brought up around the game and likely absorbed some of the finer points of it from his father.

The Broncos probably saw a lot of Surtain last season while scouting their 2020 first-round draft pick, Jerry Jeudy, so they may have more knowledge about him than other teams. For now, we’ll give him the edge as the top corner over Caleb Farley, who sat out last season. Either would be a good option for the Broncos and would go a long way toward improving this defense.

Linebacker Micah Parson also drew consideration here, but he will continue to slide a bit and land outside of the top 10 in this mock draft.