All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II covered many of the league’s top wide receivers this season, but one stood out above the rest.
Surtain was named a First-team All-Pro for the second time in his NFL career this season. The Denver Broncos star finished the season with 45 tackles (34 solo, 11 assists), 11 pass deflections, one forced fumble, four interceptions and a defensive touchdown.
The Broncos finished No. 1 in the league in PFN’s Defense+ rating, with a 90.6 (A-) grade in the regular season and an 88.5 (B+) when including the postseason.
With a rookie quarterback under center, the Broncos top-ranked defense played a major role in allowing them to secure a playoff berth this season. While pressuring the quarterback was integral to their success on defense, Surtain’s ability to go one-on-one with the top option on the opposing teams gave the defense plenty of freedom to mix things up.
Pat Surtain II Names Best WR He Faced in 2024
While Surtain covered many talented wide receivers in 2024, one player stood out the most. While on the “Up and Adams” show with Kay Adams, Surtain named Ja’Marr Chase as the best receiver he faced this year.
“Him and Joe [Burrow] connecting together, I think that’s tough to stop,” Surtain said. “To be able to connect like that in the league, I think that’s pretty dominant … their offense back then [at LSU] was unstoppable, but to see that transpire into the league, that’s pretty special.”
2x All Pro @PatSurtainll calls Ja'Marr Chase the BEST WR he faced this season 👏
"Him and Joe connecting together, that's pretty TOUGH to stop."@heykayadams @Real10jayy__ @Bengals pic.twitter.com/8wJkYKKjvP
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) January 30, 2025
Most other cornerbacks would presumably agree with Surtain’s pick for the top wide receiver in 2024, as Chase had a historic season. The Bengals’ star receiver was named a First-team All Pro, after winning the receiving triple crown, leading the league in all three major receiving categories: receiving yards (1,708), receptions (127), and receiving touchdowns (17).
JA'MARR CHASE IS THE TRIPLE CROWN KING 👑
He's only the second player to lead the NFL in all three categories in the same season since 2005 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FBUFyJX38u
— ESPN (@espn) January 6, 2025
As Surtain mentioned, Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow’s connection goes back to their days at LSU, where they won the National Championship together in 2019. That year LSU boasted one of the most dominant offenses in college football history with Burrow, Chase, Justin Jefferson, Clyde-Edwards-Helaire, and Terrace Marshall Jr.
Their success in college translated to the NFL as they led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in Chase’s rookie season in 2021, before falling just short to the Los Angeles Rams. They have perennially been among the league leaders at their respective positions. Chase’s dominant 2024 helped Burrow lead the league in both passing yards (4,918) and passing touchdowns (43).
Despite the dominance on the offensive side of the ball for the Bengals, ranking No. 7 in PFN’s Offense+ rankings, their No. 28 ranked defense held their team back and kept them out of the postseason. Meanwhile, Denver’s top ranked defense helped propel their No. 16 ranked offense into the postseason.
While Cincinnati was dominant on offense this season, they will presumably look to improve on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, in hopes of getting their team back into the postseason.