Clayton: Decision to draft Surtain will be debated in Denver for years

The debate in Denver will be there for the next several years.

Those judging will be debating the decision to draft cornerback Patrick Surtain II over quarterback Justin Fields. Some have looked back and compared whether the Broncos were wise to take Bradley Chubb over Josh Allen.

Allen was too raw coming out of Wyoming and everyone knew it was going to take him time to develop as a quarterback. Now, he’s one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. Chubb was a plug-and-play outside linebacker, and he ended up getting 12 sacks in 2018.

Unfortunately, Chubb blew out his ACL in 2019 and played only four games. The thought was having Chubb and Von Miller together give the Broncos the best outside linebacking tandem in a 3-4 defense in the league. Unfortunately, Miller missed last season with a tendon injury in an ankle. Chubb and Miller have been on the field together four games in the past two years.

General manager George Paton made the wise decision and brought Miller back this year.

As to the decision to take Surtain over Fields, you can see the thinking. The Broncos roster is such that they could take the best player available. Surtain turned out to be the second defensive player available. South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn went No. 8 to Carolina, but most boards had Surtain over Horn. On the Broncos draft board, was considered the best defender. So Paton took him.

Playing time might be limited for Surtain as a rookie because the Broncos have Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan. But Fuller and Callahan are free agents next year. The Teddy Bridgewater trade took the pressure off the Broncos for drafting Fields. It only cost the Broncos a sixth-round pick and a one-year deal at $4.7 million.

The roster is set enough that if Fuller or Callahan leave, the Broncos could get compensatory picks in 2022. Surtain will be around for four years. Still, the decision will be debated. I think it’s fine.