Report: Patrick Surtain II Called 'Best and Smartest Player on the Broncos Roster'

The Denver Broncos aren't entertaining trade offers for cornerback Patrick Surtain II ahead of Tuesday's deadline, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

Russini also cited a source who called Surtain "the best and smartest player on the Broncos roster."

CBSSports.com's Jonathan Jones, however, reported Sunday that "I continue to be told anyone in Denver can be had, and that would include [Surtain II]."

The Broncos are last in the AFC West at 2-5 and might be trending toward a total teardown at some point. Trading Surtain would help replenish their draft capital to further any rebuild. The Miami Dolphins netted a first-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers when they dealt Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2019, while the Jacksonville Jaguars got two first-rounders as part of the package for Jalen Ramsey.

Absent an overwhelming offer, this probably wouldn't be a worthwhile pursuit for Denver, though.

Surtain earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2022 after finishing with 60 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups. Through seven games this year, he has intercepted one pass and recorded 27 tackles.

The 23-year-old has been unable to prevent the Broncos from becoming one of the most porous defenses in the league, though. They're allowing the third-most passing yards (257.4) per game, and they rank last in opponent completion percentage (75.3).

Still, the blame for those numbers doesn't fall entirely on Surtain. ESPN's Jeff Legwold outlined the many reasons for Denver's defensive issues in October, and offloading Bradley Chubb prior to the 2022 trade deadline was cited as one factor.

As much as the Broncos might benefit from having additional draft picks, there's no guarantee they'd turn that into a player as good as Surtain. The Chubb trade is a prime example of that.

General manager George Paton is utilizing the right approach by taking Surtain off the market altogether or maintaining such an exorbitant demand that effectively does the same thing.