What happened: Darius Slay ranked Patrick Surtain II as the premier cornerback in the league. Derek Stingley Jr. secured the second spot in the evaluation. Christian Gonzalez rounded out the top three selections.

Why it matters: The endorsement from an active veteran highlights the respect these young defenders command across the league. Surtain II recently secured a long-term commitment, which the Renck pod frames as proof of the Broncos' trust. Gonzalez continues to draw high praise as he prepares for his second professional season.

What to watch: Training camps will provide a closer look at how these cornerbacks match up against elite receiving talent. Early preseason matchups will test the accuracy of these offseason evaluations.