The former Alabama All-American is hoping to receive the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award on Thursday night.

Cornerback Patrick Surtain II is coming off his best season since the Denver Broncos selected him with the No. 9 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Denver Broncos superstar cornerback Patrick Surtain II is the favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year award, but that doesn't count for anything yet. After all, the final tally is subject to the vagaries of the voters, and various other factors can come into play.

There is every reason to think Surtain will maintain his level of play with the Broncos defense all but returning in full. Turns out, Surtain can be used for something other than turning off the lights on one side of the field. With a lethal pass rush and reliable corner Riley Moss on the opposite side of the field, Vance Joseph proved it.

As Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain prepares for his third straight Pro Bowl appearance, he reflected on how pro football's all-star affair has changed for the better. "Yeah, I'm looking forward to it,

Surtain, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was also honored as a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press for the second time in his career. On Monday, he was one of four Bronco players, including outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, punt returner Marvin Mims Jr. and right guard Quinn Meinerz, to be named to the PFWA’s All-NFL team.