The Denver Broncos are coming off a disastrous 2022 season in which they finished 5-12 and were saddled with one of the worst offenses anyone could remember seeing in the NFL.
However, their defense wasn’t too shabby, and a big reason why was cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
He was recently asked about the toughest wide receiver matchup he has faced, and he said Davante Adams, via NFL on CBS.
Who is the toughest WR that All-Pro Patrick Surtain has had to face in the NFL?
That would be @Raiders superstar Davante Adams
(@ATCoveredPod) pic.twitter.com/QKWizFY1nO
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) July 17, 2023
Adams spent the first eight seasons of his career with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, but he was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders last offseason in a move that stunned the NFL.
He had 1,516 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, the latter of which led the league, in 2022, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Raiders from going through a train wreck of their own.
They were expected to be Super Bowl contenders with Adams, much as the Broncos were after they traded for Russell Wilson, but they lost several big leads and close games, causing them to finish 6-11.
Adams has made a living over the years by making tough contested catches of long-distance passes, and plays like that have frustrated many defensive backs.
Surtain, who made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro First Team in 2022, his second pro season, is becoming one of the better corners in the game.
Yet Denver needs to improve big-time on offense if they are to get on track and reach the playoffs.
For starters, Wilson has to return to form after a down year in 2022, and they need good health from their skill players, particularly wide receiver Tim Patrick, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL.
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