The Lead

When cornerback Pat Surtain II takes the field this fall, he'll have some new faces around him.

Denver signed a pair of top free agents in Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw, and the Broncos added another blue-chip player in the first round of the draft in Jahdae Barron.

"[They're] great additions to our team and towards our success," Surtain said Monday at his PS2 Experience event to raise funds for the Patrick Surtain II Foundation. "Obviously, with Dre and Hufanga, those guys are going to get after it. They've been to Super Bowls before. They know how to win at a high level. … I'm looking forward to stepping on the field with them [this season]."

Both Greenlaw and Hufanga have proven their games at the NFL level and will soon look to display their abilities as part of a Denver unit that ranked third in points allowed in 2024. Barron, though, remains part of a rookie group that is still working its way up to speed ahead of training camp.

Surtain said he believes Barron is making the transition well, and he's already been impressed by the 20th-overall pick.

"He brings a lot of versatility to the defense," Surtain said. "He's smart, savvy. He makes plays. It's a big addition to our team, because I know he's going to make plays on the team. He's catching up fast. It's a great addition to our team."

And if the addition of Barron results in more passes coming his way, Surtain certainly would relish the opportunity.

"We'll see," Surtain said. "At the end of the day, you can only control what you can control. But if that involves me getting more attempts at the ball and making more plays, then [I] can't be too mad at it."