A number of NFL and college players have two-way backgrounds, usually from their high school days. As these players mature, they tend to specialize with an eye toward snaps at big-time colleges or in the pros.
Thus, players who play two ways in the pros after playing one way in college are exceptionally uncommon. Texans defensive end J.J. Watt famously moonlighted as a pass catcher in 2014 with three receiving touchdowns, but even he had started life in college as a tight end for Central Michigan.
On Thursday's episode of The Insiders on NFL+, Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II—a defensive back for the duration of his stints with both Alabama and Denver—revealed a desire to test the offensive waters.
"A couple weeks ago (in practice), I was lining up at receiver and doing some releases and some routes," Surtain said. "I was trying to get [coach Sean Payton's] attention and he looked, but he kind of brushed me off."
#Broncos star Patrick Surtain II: All-Pro cornerback … and future wide receiver?
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 30, 2023
“If there were a time and an opportunity to get those offensive snaps, I would definitely be there.” 👀
📺📱💻 Full episode of The Insiders is on-demand now on #NFLPlus: https://t.co/uRBQKZq36O pic.twitter.com/YlGGhnrw4b
The subject came up when the hosts referenced Surtain throwing at the launch of his charitable foundation on Tuesday.
“If there were a time and an opportunity to get those offensive snaps, I would definitely be there," Surtain said.
There would be precedent in the family: Surtain's Pro Bowl father was a high school quarterback in New Orleans before Southern Miss moved him to defensive back.
