Patrick Surtain II talks about new role in Broncos youth movement

Denver Broncos Training camp looks a lot different these days without the constant presence of veteran Justin Simmons working the back of the defense. While Simmons waits patiently by the phone for his next NFL opportunity, the Broncos and head coach Sean Payton are working hard and remaining committed to their younger talent.

That youth is especially evident in the secondary, where sophomore Riley Moss and third-year Damarri Mathis battle with experienced newcomer Levi Wallace for the team’s No. 2 cornerback position, opposite Patrick Surtain II.

“I think we’ve gotten younger,” Payton said Saturday. “We’ve had some ball production. I think one of the things we felt strongly about was seeing Riley’s development first and Mathis’ development. We’ve got some young players here that we’ve invested in. I think the reps that they’re getting outside now — I’m talking about the corners — have been really valuable. As far as the safeties, we saw (P.J.) Locke come in as the season went on. We went ahead and signed a couple other players (to) come in. We just felt like this was an area where we wanted to be younger, and we wanted more competition.”

Injecting fresh ideas into nimble minds is one thing, but replacing Simmons’ veterans seems to fall largely on Surtain’s shoulders. Fortunately, it’s a responsibility the 24-year-old fully embraces.

“I think I’ve embraced that role,” Surtain said of asserting leadership this season. “There’s been some changes over the last year, so I’ve embraced that role well. That new role is something I’m excited to be in. Being able to be a leader on this team definitely inspires me to grow and grow every day.”

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New faces at Broncos HQ will undoubtedly get a chance to prove their worth. Payton’s mission to freshen things up even extends to his coaching staff.

Broncos secondary coach Jim Leonhard has a reputation as someone who could one day be a good head coach, so Payton was determined to bring him in to mentor a younger position group. It’s early, but Leonhard’s guidance of the Broncos secondary is already impressing Surtain in particular.

“I learned a lot from the offseason to training camp,” Surtain said Friday. “Just his knowledge of the game, his understanding of the game. How he processes things helps us as players to really slow the game down because his experiences help a lot in the room. I just think he’s a great coach when it comes to understanding the X’s and O’s. He’s been there before and he’s understanding with the players as well.”

Caden Sterns’ timely return to the practice field should help Payton and Leonhard get this project on track, but veteran safety Brandon Jones will need to be carefully guided back onto the field after an unfortunate injury to his hamstring on Friday. Still, Payton is confident he has gathered enough experience to successfully overhaul his safety unit this season, with strong leadership ultimately being the epicenter.

“I think it’s important, and yet it’s going to develop organically,” Payton said of how new leaders at safety will emerge. “I think if you just watch the league and the practices, it’s a lot different now, in my opinion, than it was a year ago when I saw the film. I think young and hungry can be very dangerous, and I told them that.”