Locked On Broncos - Daily Podcast On The Denver Broncos - Denver Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II Faces ULTIMATE TEST In 2025 Against NFL's ELITE Receivers

Episode Date: July 1, 2025

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II will face some of the NFL's more elite receivers in 2025. Coming off of a historic Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024, Surtain can lock up another bid if he wins his matchups against A.J. Brown, CeeDee Lamb, and Ja'Marr Chase. Cody Roark is a credentialed beat reporter for Mile High Sports and covers the Broncos daily in person. Sayre Bedinger is the site expert for Predominantly Orange. Both bring Broncos Country the most in-depth and objective coverage of the Denver Broncos. WANT MORE DAILY DENVER BRONCOS CONTENT?For all of the latest Denver Broncos news today -- Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOBroncos?sid=YouTube Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNFL Follow on Twitter: @CodyRoarkNFL and @SayreBedingerFollow the show on Twitter: @LockedOnBroncos Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuelRight now, new customers can get $150 in BONUS BETS when your first $5 BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnfl for 50% off your first year. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Denver Broncos reigning, defending defensive player there. Patrick Sirton could be in line for a second DPOI award if he wins these three top matchups in 2025. We'll highlight that more on today's episode, Locked on Broncos. You are Locked on Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Broncos country, what's happening? Welcome into another episode, Lockdown Broncos, your daily Denver Broncos podcast.

part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, Reno. It's your team every day for all your Broncos news, content coverage, analysis, and more. This is the place to be every single day all year long. A special shout out to all the every dares out there in Broncos country. Thanks for tuning in making us your first listen however you choose to do so. And if you're not yet in every day or become one. Hit that subscribe to that follow button.

That way you never miss out on what's going on with your favorite team. I'm Cody Roark. Broncos reported for Mile High Sports. And I'm Sarah Bedinger's site expert at predominantly orange.com. And if Broncos cornerback, Patrick Sertan the second is going to win his second defensive player of the year award here. In 2025, there are going to be three matchups that he'll have this upcoming season. And if he wins those, it will elevate his chances significantly. We'll go through and talk about A.J. Brown, a tough matchup between PS2 and him in week five when the Broncos take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Plus, we'll also go through a rematch with Jamar Chase in week four, where the Broncos cornerback in the prior two matchups has had. his way with Jamar Chase, who just got the mega bag in Cincinnati. And then we'll debate and discuss we're not CD Lamb or Terry McLauran will be the next toughest receiver that PS2 faces this upcoming season. Sarah, I always like these kinds of pieces here because really beginning next week is when we dive deeper into every Broncos training camp position preview that leads Broncos country right up into the start of training camp. We're excited about all that.

But before we get to that, I think some of these offseason material things can be fun, right, where we highlight some of these key matches. We've looked at maybe the top three offenses, the Broncos will face or the defenses that they'll face in 2025. But I feel like when we look at PS2 here, I think it's a great topic to kind of discuss maybe some of these top wide receivers that he'll face this upcoming season. AJ Brown in week five,

honestly on paper seems like it is the heavyweight matchup of the year between the Broncos all pro cornerback and obviously the stud, talented Super Bowl wide receiver that is AJ Brown. And it also kind of feels like the Eagles might present the Broncos with their biggest challenge defensively in terms of the best players that they'll face like on the same field at the same time at running back, receiver tied down. I don't know that any team they're facing this year, Cody has a better trio or I guess quartet, if you want to call it that for the Eagles because they have two receivers that are really good. But yeah, AJ Brown, since that trade with the Tennessee Titans a couple of years ago that got so many people fired there, he's been dominant. just downright dominant. And he can win a variety of different ways after the catch, at the catch point.

He can burn you with speed. He's just so good all around. And he's developed into one of those players who I don't want to say he's a cheat code or anything, Cody, because there's certain weeks that he, you know, he doesn't, he's not even the primary receiver there. But most weeks, I feel like you can count on him being a high volume, highly effective target every single time Jalen Hertz throws him to football. And so you want your best on best.

and that means that somebody's got to step up on the other side of the ball, right? Or on the other side of the field where DeVante Smith is playing. And he's a very good receiver as well. So Pat, like you said, if he wants to repeat as defensive player of the year, these types of matchups are going to dictate whether or not that happens, right? Against A.J. Brown, if you can put the clamps on and dominate this kind of a game, Cody, I feel like that'll be, especially being this is in week five, I feel like it'll be a great early season statement for the reigning defensive player of the year.

And it can elevate his stock significantly too early on. Like, you know, people are going to be looking at those conversations like matchups of the week. I feel like AJ Brown, P is too. Sarah, I would pay money to be able to see that matchup in person. I mean, luckily, I get to see it with a press pass. But, I mean, that's worth the price of admission. I think if you're a Broncos fan going to Philadelphia here in that situation, you know, a thing I like about patent this matchup too is the fact that I think we'll see.

him play press coverage quite a bit here on AJ Brown, and they'll move AJ around, but primarily he'll be an outside guy. They'll move him. Pat will follow there, but it's also some of those other names that you mentioned. You have to account for. Devante Smith,

obviously a former Alabama teammate of Patrick Sertan, and the first matchup, I think that PS2 ever had against D. Smith, remember, I think this was in Denver where he just hauled in an incredible catch for a touchdown. It was really great coverage, but kind of Moss PS2 for a TD in that game where I think Teddy Bridgewater threw the ball

out of the end zone on fourth down, like threw it in the back of the end zone, like threw the ball away on fourth down. And I remember that caused a bunch of controversy. Luckily, we are far ahead of those conversations here on this show. But that is the pay-per-view matchup, in my opinion, if I have to look at any matchup on the schedule for the Broncos, this will be the toughest for them as a team because of what you mentioned here. But for Patrick Sartan to elevate maybe a defensive player of the year case once again, I think how he does against AJ Brown will set the tone for the rest of the way, because in my opinion, the physicality and the size and as you mentioned, that explosiveness that a guy like AJ Brown has.

Look, that's the one I think is going to be intriguing. Obviously, we're going to talk about another matchup coming up in week four, the week prior to this matchup here. PS2 is going to get back-to-back tough matchups, you know, on a week-to-week basis there. But I feel like this is the biggest one of the season. Now, on the flip side of that, too, PS2 could essentially completely erase a player like AJ Brown hypothetically, right? But then you factor in Saquan Barkley, Jalen Hurts, the dynamic.

those guys with their legs on the ground, Dallas Goddard. But I also think when you look at the wide receiver position, this is where these offseason additions of Talano, Oufung, Jada, Barron, the continued development and ascension of Riley Mosh, Jekwon McMillan, are going to be so big because outside of Devante Smith, they also have Jahan Dotson, who is going to be a welcome edition inside of that offense, not to mention Dallas Goddard at tight end.

This is where some of these other matchups could come in and maybe impact the Broncos negatively, even if Pats or Tan takes away what A.J. Brown can do. Yeah, you're going to be expecting that the ball is going to be distributed all over the place. I mean, Nick Siriani, I don't know what the situation is going to be there this year, Cody, in terms of who's calling the plays and things like that, but he's going to want to get all those guys involved. And he's going to play the chess match just like everybody else does against Denver. But I do think that one of the interesting things that as we look through this, I guess sort of really tough, tough slate of matchups for PS2, doesn't that kind of lead to, I mean, for a corner like PS2,

it can be almost easy for teams on a week to week basis to say, we're not throwing his direction. We're going to avoid throwing it over there as much as we possibly can. But when you have playmakers that you're going up against like A.J. Brown or the guys that we're going to talk about coming up on today's episode, teams don't avoid getting those guys targets. Teams will, like the Eagles are not going to avoid getting A.J. Brown targets. So it gives PS2 an,

opportunity to make more plays on the ball, which I think last year, I mean, he had two interceptions in that Raiders game and he had the interceptions against the Colts. I just feel like for him, it's an opportunity to go say, all right, I'm not only going to put the clamps on these guys, but knowing that they're going to throw the ball, AJ Brown's direction, I'm going to go make a play on the ball. I'm going to make them pay for throwing the ball to AJ Brown. Not only am I going to nullify his presence on the field, but I'm going to actively make get a net negative. That's why I think PS2 can really make his case for defensive MVP once again

this season is not just, you know, low yards per attempt, low yards per completion into his coverage, bad quarterback rating when you target PS2. How about take the ball back and create some points for your team that way? I think that's one way. I mean, we put a lot of pressure on this guy anyway. Why not apply a little bit more? Look, he's looking forward to this upcoming season. And I had a chance to catch up a pat over the weekend at his youth football camp that he put on in Parker, Colorado. And one of the things that he said was, you know, why not win another defensive player of the year? But really the goal for him is what he said is, you know, our goal is to win a Super Bowl. He said, that's what we really want to do.

He said, you know, while winning defensive player of the year was nice, our goal is much bigger than that. Our goal is a team collectively is to go out there and win a Super Bowl. And look, if the Broncos is going to get that far and be able to do that, Pat's contributions defensively, they've been so big. but they'll be even bigger if the Broncos can go on a run inside of the playoffs. I think being able to do that is taking care of big time matchup, showing you can compete against Super Bowl teams like the Philadelphia Eagles in week five. Let us know Broncos country, your thoughts on the looming AJ Brown versus PS2 matchup.

That could be a highlight worthy performance for the Broncos and for PS2 if they can come away with the advantage there in week five. Let's know your thoughts on here on today's episode of the show. But we're going to tell you why coming up next, a rematch with Jamar Chase will also elevate that stock because that comes before the AJ Brown matchup. But PS2, he's had Jamar Chase's number and that trend will likely continue in 2025. You'll get that here on today's episode of the show.

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Jamar Chase is going to have to face off against Pat Certan once again this coming season. Howard the Broncos is going to fare this time around. They struggled a little bit against that Bengals passing attack. But certainly as Cody mentioned before, Jamar Chase didn't have a ton of success when he was matched up against PS2. The Broncos are going to look to make sure that they exploit that matchup in their favor once again here in 2025. And why is Jamar Chase maybe the toughest receiver that the Broncos will face all year?

We're going to tell you all about that on today's episode. Broncos Country, thanks so much for making us your first listen of the day. Every single day, we appreciate every single one of you. Cody, last season, Jamar Chase in that overtime thriller between the Broncos and Bengals, he did have nine catches for 102 yards, 11.3 yards per catch. His catch percentage, though, in that game of 60% was the lowest number. That was the lowest percentage of receptions per target that he had all year long. I'm interested in know your takeaways from that game as far as like in the moment

when we're reacting to those types of games. It's not necessarily we're sitting there like, man, Pat Sertan really had a great game. I mean, we're obviously talking about the result of the game, the implications of the playoffs. But now it's the offseason. We had time to go back and watch that game, probably a number of times at this point. Why do you think Pat Sartan has the advantage against a receiver as dynamic as Jamar Chase? Well, it just seems like every time Pat's lined up against him, there isn't an efficiency level, I think, for the offense when it is that. You know, one thing the Cincinnati Beng was tried to do was scheme him open on pick plays,

deep crossing routes, right? They'd try to catch the Broncos or Pat and maybe off ball coverage. And they would do that based on trying to condense the splits of their wide receivers, right? Make everything tight and congested, which makes it easier to create clearouts, rubs, picks by the receivers that would make Pat have to impede through traffic to be able to get into hit positioning against a guy like Jamar Chase. That's why Denver tried to press a lot. Now, obviously, that production that Jamar Chase had in that game, it really wasn't against Pat Sartan here because according to our friends,

over there in NFL next gen stats. Pat Sertan in that game in the overtime loss that Broncos had. He was on Jamar Chase on 43 of 56 coverage snaps, and he held him specifically to three catches total for 27 yards. Now, let's rewind a little bit to Pat's rookie year, right? 2021. The Bengals come to town. This is, you know, obviously the Drew Locke fumble game,

where the Broncos, if they win that game, they could have made it to the playoffs that season with Vic Fangio here. Well, I found to be interesting in that. game, it was really Tyler Boyd who really carved up the Broncos. And it wasn't against PS2 because PS2 was on Jamar Chase in that game. PS2 held Jamar Chase in that game specifically to one catch for three yards here. And I think the tough part about this and looking in hindsight, because this applies to 2024, Pat was all over the place. Pat did really well against T. Higgins. He even punched the ball out, forced to fumble on T. Higgins in that game

last year. Did a really good job of erasing Jamar Chase's big time impact in this game, but it wasn't enough for the Broncos to beat the Cincinnati Bengals, right? Because T. Higgins was going off against Riley Moss, and you know, you had Mike Geseki going off almost having 100 yards himself there. I think what, he had something along the lines of, I think 10 catches for 86 yards. Andre Yosevas had three catches for 59 yards. And Denver's defense, they sacked Joe Burrough seven times and they still lost the game. Ser, to me, that's crazy.

And what it tells me here about 2025 is the Broncos, they're going to have to bring a little bit more this upcoming season if they want to win this matchup. But it just goes to show that PS2 has been one of the top dogs in the NFL because he locks down these top level guys like Jamar Chase. He's two for two against them right now. And really the trend, I think, isn't going to change here going into this upcoming season. The Broncos is going to ramp up pressure on Joe Burrell. And I guarantee you they're going to probably try to target T. Higgins quite a bit in this game. But Bengals, they did make some new additions as well.

They have added to that receiving and that tight end room. Yeah, they've got a lot of really good players there once again. And obviously Joe Burrow pulling the trigger on those passes. He is one of the best, as we talked about, quarterbacks in the NFL today, arguably, in my opinion, Cody, I think if I had to say, hey, you got one shot to go win a Super Bowl and you need a quarterback to do it for you, I think Joe Burrow would probably be my guy, honestly, over a four-quarter game.

And I like him a lot. And I think that he's great. But you obviously want to see him fail. in a situation like this. And Pat Sertan is the guy who's going to help the Broncos do it. You want those other DBs to take that next step so that Burroughs not just constantly finding it. Because like you mentioned in the episode that we did about the quarterbacks,

which everybody should go listen to. Bronco sacked Joe Burroughs seven times and still he's able to throw for an astronomical number of yards converting on third downs time and time again. And then obviously putting his team in position to win late. And Jamar Chase is a big reason for that. And the familiarity between Jamar Chase and Pat Sertan is so deeply rooted too, right? I mean, these guys came into the NFL, I believe in the same year. If memory serves me right, Cody, because they were both class of 2021.

And they played in the SEC together, Jamar Chase at LSU, Pat Sertan, at Alabama. So their rivalry goes deeper than just the matchups they've had in the NFL. They've had matchups at the college level. They probably knew each other back in high school, I'm sure. and Cody like that type of stuff, that familiarity between guys like this, it can breed some contempt, right? Especially when it's been a little bit more one-sided in terms of, all right,

Pat's winning the matchups, but then Jamar is the guy who's getting to celebrate the victory. So I don't know, maybe the Broncos need to let Jamar Chase go wild one of these games and maybe they'll win one. I don't know what's the key here, Cody, but Pat Sertan has obviously got a lot of familiarity with this guy, and it doesn't seem like Jamar Chase has been able to

to crack the coat. No, no, you know, he did you did crack and break the bank, though. Obviously, with the record setting contract extension at wide receiver. And I think is, you know, where the benefit of what the Bengals are able to do is they, they have ridiculous explosive firepower on offense. I think right now you look on paper, you can look at the Baltimore Ravens as a team in that category, but I also look primarily at the Cincinnati Bengals is probably the most dangerous, most explosive offense right now in the NFL, at least on paper. And I would say, when you look at those Ravens and Bengals matchups from last season, they were the highest scoring games that you would see all year long on the NFL,

right? Whether it was a Sunday or whether it was a Thursday night matchup, it was what? I think on average it was like a 41 to 38 final score and a good portion of those games. That's the thing, though. Like that's where Denver needs these other guys to step up because if you do have a guy like Pat, who in two matchups essentially like when Pat's covering him,

can erase that efficiency that Jamar has and other. guys are thriving like Tyler Boyd did in 2021. I can't even remember now. Was it who was the outside corner? Because I think, uh, I think Kyle Fuller was hurt at one point. Because I know Bryce was playing in the nickel, Bryce Callahan. I'm trying to remember who well stepped in in 2021. Let's take.

I'm trying to think it wasn't Ronald Darby, was it? It could have been. I think it was Darby. Yeah, let's pull it up here because I've got the old trusty, dusty hour. Breaking out the history. We're breaking out the history. Okay, so we've got, here's the corners on the roster at that time. Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan, Pat Sertan, Carrie Vincent, Nate Hairston, and Ronald Darby.

So it might have been even Hirsten, Cody. He played quite a bit that season. Maybe it was a different one, but I remember him playing quite a bit at one point. Nuts, nuts, it takes it all the way back. I would say arguably now Denver's got a more, I say, solidified, more impactful depth, outlook on that room right now than they did there. Though I think those veteran editions, Bryce Callahan was great for Denver injuries. Obviously a little bit of a bigger factor.

Kyle Fuller, his time endeavor was not so great. The Broncos did not get the guy they initially were looking for there. But I think that Denver in the secondary, they're much better now than they were then. I think they're better right now on paper than they were in 2024 as well. So I'm very curious to see how that may be transitions over here when we look at this matchout. I want to ask you your quick opinion on this too. In Brockos country, feel free to chime in as you're tuning into today's episode of the show. We talked about AJ Brown.

I feel like you can make an argument that Jamar Chase or AJ Brown, these guys will be the toughest matchup for Pat this season. Where are you leaning? Is it AJ Brown or is it Jamar? I think it's Jamar. I think I really do. I mean, this is a guy. First team all pro last year over 1,700 yards, 100 yards per game.

I mean, that's basically he averaged a touchdown in a game. He had 17 touchdowns. I think when you can average 100 yards and a touchdown a game at the NFL level, you're just playing on a different plane than everybody else. You are dominant in every way. And that's not a takeaway from AJ Brown either. I just think that Jamar Chase is one of those guys who you can trust him with 15 plus targets every single week. And you know that he's going to deliver.

And he's just so consistent. And so to me, I think, Cody, I would, other than Justin Jefferson, it's crazy to think those two guys were on the same team at the college level. It's no wonder they ran the table the way that they did. But yeah, I'd say Jamar Chase, Justin Jefferson, those are the two best receivers in the game right now. Rock Coast Country, make sure you let us know your thoughts here on today's episode of the show. Sarah and I, we had a very difficult time really trying to pinpoint that exact third guy. Who's the third toughest matchup for Pat or Tan? There's three names that we're going to look at Cid Lam, Terry McLaurin, and Nico Collins.

Where are we leaning on this? We'll dive into that here on today's episode of the show. Is it Nico Collins, scary Terry McLaren, or is it Cedie Lamb? That will be the third toughest matchup here for Patrick Certan the second in 20. 2025 as he looks to maybe win another defensive player of the year award and help get the Broncos to a potential Super Bowl bid. That's the aspiration of the team. And if the Broncos is going to make it that far, they have to showcase that they can shut down and lock down some of the top players in the NFL, which Pat, he's consistently done that in his elite level career early on here. But now, really, we've talked about A.J. Brown. We've talked about Jamar Chase. I think Broncos' country will have the easy consensus that those will be the top two receivers that Denver faces this year that Pat has to cover. I've found it very hard looking at the schedule and really trying to identify a solidified third options here. So let's take a look at CD Lamb, Nico Collins, or even scary Terry McLaurin. Do you think it's of those three or is there a name that I'm missing that you feel like

will be the one to watch for? No, I like those names. I don't know that there's very many receivers that you would go up against better than CD Lamb. I think to me, maybe the perception on him is a little bit off based on last year, Cody, where obviously the Cowboys were cycling through Cooper Rush and, you know, their quarterback situation hasn't been the most stable with DAC being hurt as much as he has been. And so I just think you go back to 2022, 2022, 23.

You look at C.D. Lam's dominance in those two seasons when DAC was mostly healthy. This guy was first team all pro in 2023. He was third in the offensive player of the year voting. He's been a three-time all-pro selection in a row, even. with the injury to Dak Prescott last season. So to me, C.D. Lamb is that guy. And I think that he's just born such a heavy burden on his back as the sole producer in that offense over the last couple of seasons.

And now he's got some help with George Pickens. So I think that with Pickens in Dallas and a healthy Dak Prescott, that team all of a sudden becomes vastly different in my eyes. But C.D. Lam is still the, he's still the one who's going to to make everything go. He's still the catalyst for that team. He's going to still get his targets. He's going to be the featured guy. And I think to me, he is that the best receiver other than the two guys we've talked about on Denver's Roth or schedule this season. I can see a legit case for that too. And let's talk about George Pickens here for a little bit because obviously while picking stats against Denver,

when Sir Tan was covering him, weren't effective. I remember there being at least two or three plays that got called back due to a Steelers penalty where Pickens made some big plays downfield. was in coverage and there was a mixed variance between man in zone coverage there but ultimately those plays did not count George Pickens certainly throws a wrinkle into the mix as well because now I think you're in a situation very similar to like Jamar Chase T. Higgins when you play the Cowboys that okay hey you got to worry about obviously Pickens C.D. Lamb we'll see where Dak's at. You know obviously that that whole roller coaster is always something that gives back to a Cowboys Nation as Jerry would say you know I'm really excited about Dak and

and we get CD in the mix a little bit like good old Jerry Jones man always great for something good they I was spontaneous you know what let's see no one's seen me and Jerry Jones in the same room ever so we'll see where things are at all right so I agree with you I do feel like CD Lamb is probably the next best name right that you're going to have to go against if you're pat here I'll throw some honorable mentions in there too we talked about Terry McLaurin obviously there's some dysfunction with Terry McLaurin and the commanders this off season is they're looking for a new deal. So I'm not sure if that will impact things or if they're going to be able to pay him here. But I always look at it as, hey, Denver's playing them on Sunday night football.

Bo Nicks against Jaden Daniels, two second year quarterbacks, two guys who are in the offensive rookie of the year category here. And for the Broncos, they have a really great chance to go out there defensively and showcase. Like, hey, we're going to go out there and mess with Jaden Daniels. We're going to take away his top options here. We're going to elevate Bow in the meantime by doing that. Terry McLaren is tough. And I remember when the Broncos played him and Sean Payton's first year,

he had a couple of crazy catches, including an impactful touchdown that ultimately resulted in the Broncos collapsing after a 21 to three lead at halftime in that game. I remember that clearly. Scary Terry is an accelerator for a guy like Jaden Daniels. And of course, they got Debo Samuel in the mix as well. So two other guys, two receivers that if you're Denver, you have to kind of worry about.

Yeah, and I think Terry McLaren is one of those guys who, on a per target basis, I don't know that many guys are quite as effective. Every time the ball goes his direction, it just feels like something good is going to happen, doesn't it? I mean, he's the deep ball master in today's NFL. He can absolutely turn a, you know, a throw that. Otherwise, you would say, oh, wow, he's almost trying to throw it away or he's putting it. He's the master of like the catch where the announcer is going to say, oh, the quarterback.

put it where only his receiver could get it. That's the kind of catches that I feel like Terry McCorn makes all the time. And he did last season, a 70.1% catch percentage, which means that he maximized every single target, 82 catches on 117 total targets, 13 touchdowns amongst his 82 catches. So just a really high efficiency. And somebody who built, like you said, that chemistry with Jaden Daniels super, super quick. I just saw too, Cody, that Ladd McCormick. was on the NFL top 100 players list.

So maybe he deserves some love in this conversation. I don't know, but he's tough. Is that going to guard him, do you think? I don't know if PS2 is going to go. I don't know if you need PS2 on Ladd McConkey. I mean,

I'm not trying to disrespect. We didn't see it last year that much. No, no, we didn't. So I think you have the personnel now, especially with Jada Barron in the mix, to be able to counter a guy like that playing in the slot.

But I don't know if there's anybody else on the schedule who really screams out to me, man, PS2, you have to have him shadowing that guy. I know you mentioned Nico Collins. I do think PS2, you want him on Nico Collins. Even though he's not the same as a Jamar Chase or those types of guys, I feel like Nico is one of the more underrated wide receiver one type players in the NFL. He almost contributed $200 on the Broncos in that matchup that they had in Russell Wilson's final year in Denver there. That was the reason the Broncos lost that game.

was because Nico Collins went absolutely crazy. And I remember Pat hyper-extended his knee in that game. And somehow, you know, he came back, I think a series or two after the fact. It was able to come in. But you look at Houston as well. They have, I think, an underrated room. Look, Tank Dell is not expected to play this upcoming season. After that very scary injury, he suffered last year on his leg.

And obviously, our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to him. Hopefully he can get back on the field. But they go through, they add Jaden Higgins in the NFL draft. They sign Christian Kirk, obviously, who was with the Jacksonville. Jaguars and they still have John Mechie the third who I think is a player that is still evolving as well like they have very capable weapons at that wide receiver

position and then at tight end they still have Dalton Schultz they also have Cade Stover Brevin Jordan they have an Irv Smith Jr. And Luke Lechay who obviously I know you like that being an Iowa guy. The Texans on offense at least at their skill player position they seem to have some very underrated names I would say in comparison

maybe some of the other groups we talked about. Yeah, they have a lot of underrated playmakers for sure. And I think C.J. Stroud's going to have a huge, huge bounce back year, Cody, for them after, I feel like a lot of people felt it from the Texans last year,

a sophomore slump for kind of that whole team. But I don't know, maybe they take that step back forward this year. I think we got to mention two more guys. As like honorable mention, these two guys were both in the top seven of all receivers and tight ends last year and receiving yards. The third most,

receiving yards in the NFL last season. Brian Thomas from the Jacksonville Jaguars. They're on the Broncos schedule late. And then the seventh most was Malik Neighbors, who plays for the New York Giants. And he'll be the number one target for our old friend Russell Wilson out there this coming season. And I think, Cody, I think we'll see Russell Wilson play against the Broncos this time around. But I guess you never know.

I think those two guys are entering that conversation as well. I don't think they're quite in the conversation. But I think they're entering the conversation with the Jamar Chase and all those types of other guys at the top of the NFL. I would say that's fair too. It's also kind of nice that we can approach the season by really looking at like, ah, there's really no one from the Kansas City Chiefs. You're like, ah, you have to respect that room. But it's not like it's going to be the toughest matchup that you have all year, right?

Every year when it was Tyreek Hill. Like Tyreek was always going to be the toughest matchup that you had on your schedule all year if you're a corner like PS2. And PS2 obviously really limited Tyreek in 2021. when the last time they kind of played as a member of KC versus Denver. So I'm excited about that and where things are at here. But Broncos country, what are your thoughts on today's episode of the show? The top three names you think Pastor Tan will go up against this upcoming season.

Make sure you let us know. But for all you every day, here's what you can expect on tomorrow's episode of Lockdown Broncos, Sarah and myself, we're going to sit down and we're going to tease and maybe figure out what some bold predictions are going to be here for the Broncos offense for Bo Nix. How many passing yards will Bo have this? upcoming season. Will he surpass 3,500 yards once again? Will he have more touchdowns than he did in 2025?

We think that's the case. Make sure you tune in to tomorrow's episode's show to get all that and much more.