During the annual league meeting in Orlando, Florida on March 26, Detroit Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell expressed a sense of urgency in bolstering the team’s cornerback position. He disclosed that they are actively considering options, including adding another free agent and evaluating potential draft prospects. Meanwhile, Mike Payton from AtoZ Sports suggested that the Lions should pursue a trade for Patrick Surtain II, a 2022 All-Pro cornerback. Payton proposed on the same day that the Lions should offer the No. 29 overall pick from the 2024 first round along with a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Surtain and the No. 147 overall pick in the 2024 draft.

“The Broncos are on the brink of a rebuild, and with Surtain’s contract nearing its end, they would be faced with the costly decision of exercising his fifth-year option and then negotiating a lucrative new deal. All of this would be happening while they’re likely in pursuit of a quarterback, given their lack of access to the top prospects in this year’s draft.

The Lions present an opportunity for the Broncos to avoid committing significant funds to Surtain in the near future and provide them with additional assets for potential trade-ups in this year’s draft.

Surtain earned first-team All-Pro honors with the Broncos in 2022, but did not secure a spot on the All-Pro team in 2023, though he did earn his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.

In the 2023 season, spanning 17 games, Surtain tallied 69 combined tackles, 12 pass defenses, and 1 interception. Throughout his NFL career of 50 games, he has amassed 36 pass defenses and 7 interceptions.”