Denver Broncos sign cornerback Patrick Surtain II to a four-year rookie deal
Patrick Surtain had 116 tackles, six tackles for loss, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and an interception return for a touchdown in 40 games at Alabama; the 21-year-old has signed a four-year rookie deal
Wednesday 19 May 2021 09:46, UK
The Denver Broncos have signed first-round draft choice Patrick Surtain II to his four-year rookie deal.
Surtain, a cornerback chosen ninth overall in the 2021 draft, will reportedly receive just under $21m. The contract also contains the usual fifth-year option for first-round picks.
The 21-year-old was the second cornerback selected in the draft, being picked immediately after the Carolina Panthers tabbed South Carolina's Jaycee Horn.
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Surtain was a consensus All-American for Alabama last season. During three seasons with the Crimson Tide, he intercepted four passes - returning one for a touchdown - and forced four fumbles.
"I'm very, very excited, because we got one hell of a player in Patrick," said general manager, George Paton.
"Once it was our turn and he was there for the taking, there was no question in my mind that it was the right move. Teams were calling, and we had our chances to move down, but at that point, they were gonna have to blow us away."
His father, also named Patrick Surtain, earned three Pro Bowl selections in 11 NFL seasons and posted 37 career interceptions.
The Broncos said Surtain is their sixth draft choice to sign a contract. The others are safeties Caden Sterns (fifth round) and Jamar Johnson (fifth), receiver Seth Williams (sixth), cornerback Kary Vincent Jr. (seventh) and defensive end Marquiss Spencer (seventh).
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