Patrick Surtain II Allowed One Touchdown Last Season, And Nobody In The League Is Close To His Crown

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, surrendered a mere one touchdown across 63 targets over 572 coverage snaps last season. Seriously. *One* touchdown. That’s an absolutely mind-blowing stat that shouts why he’s still the gold standard for every defensive back in the game.

Numbers Don’t Lie: A Shutdown Machine

Think about that for a second. Even while missing three games with a pectoral injury in 2025, Surtain still locked up his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod. He wasn’t just good; he was in a league of his own. Pass catchers were averaging only 2.1 yards of separation when he was targeted last season. Only Philly’s Quinyon Mitchell, at 1.8 yards, was tighter among defenders with at least 50 targets, but Surtain’s overall body of work and consistent production is just on another level. He’s the centerpiece of a Denver defense that finished among the NFL’s top three in both total and scoring defense last season. That’s not a coincidence, folks.

The Domino Effect of True Elite Coverage

What does having a shutdown corner like that really mean for a defense? Everything. Surtain’s ability to absolutely plaster an opponent’s top receiver changes the game plan entirely for Denver. It gives them incredible flexibility. They can dial up more aggressive pressure packages, get super creative with safety alignments, all because they know Surtain can survive those tough one-on-one assignments. He takes away half the field, forcing offenses to look elsewhere, and that ripple effect is what makes him so invaluable.

Sure, there’s competition out there. Mitchell is quickly establishing himself among the league’s elite, and other established stars are still making plays. But when you stack up Surtain’s combination of consistency, individual recognition, and sustained production, few can match it. The conversation isn’t whether he belongs in the elite cornerback discussion; it’s whether anybody has done enough to knock him off the top. And right now, the answer is a resounding “nope.” He’s still the king of the island.

This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.

Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.