The widespread expectation is that when the Defensive Player of the Year is announced at next week's NFL Honors show, the award will go to Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Surtain had a terrific season on what was one of the NFL's best defenses,

Surtain would become just the second Broncos player in franchise history to earn AP Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Intro/Look back at start to offseason (00:00-10:03) Early look at HC Sean Payton, CB Pat Surtain II, QB Bo Nix being named AP award finalists (10:04-23:29) Want more of "Altitude Advantage"? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher or ...

But when it comes to monuments, the kids up in the Grading The Week offices figure you best not take Pat Surtain II for granite anymore ... Jared Bednar or Sean Payton? Sports Columnists ...

The Denver Broncos have three finalists for the NFL awards handed out by the Associated Press, including quarterback Bo Nix for Rookie of the Year, coach Sean Payton for Coach of the Year, and cornerback Pat Surtain for Defensive Player of the Year.

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton believes his team would have faired well in a potential matchup with the Chiefs.