Broncos camp: Solomon Patton makes case for final roster
The Denver Broncos have some really interesting competitions going on at training camp this year, but perhaps none more interesting (aside from the offensive line) than what’s going on behind Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, and Cody Latimer at the wide receiver positions.
One player who is certainly making his presence felt the first week of camp is Solomon Patton, a former Florida Gators star and Tampa Bay Buccaneer who came to the Broncos via waivers this offseason.
Patton, who wears the legendary no. 84 and rocks a very Odell Beckham-like haircut, is a smaller receiver built to make big plays, not just as a receiver, but as a return man.
Head coach Gary Kubiak said that if Patton wanted to make the final roster, he would have to show he was more than just a return specialist. It’s safe to say that in recent days, he’s done just that.
“…I think I’ve mentioned that we know returning is a specialty of his, but if he can go out there and make plays as a wide out, it’s going to make him even more valuable to making this football team. He’s done it a couple days in a row.”
At practices on Monday and Tuesday, Patton started putting together a series of big plays here or there, including an absolutely awesome catch over rookie cornerback Taurean Nixon on a very under thrown jump ball. He drew the attention of reporters after practice, and like some other receivers on the team, his performance at camp is starting to grow its own legend, of sorts.
The fact that Patton contributes on special teams already makes him an attractive roster candidate, especially since the Broncos have plenty of uncertainty at both the kick return and punt return spots, primarily in the punt return area. Patton believes he can do that, and that’s the job he wants.
“Yeah, it’s a definite job [that I want], and kickoff return. That’s why I say anything I can do to help this team, I will do whatever.”
Patton also talked abut his big playmaking ability at camp so far, and the fact that coach Kubiak has challenged the receivers on occasion, like he did at Friday’s practice.
“He [head coach Gary Kubiak] came into the huddle right before I made one of those catches and said, ‘Receivers, it’s either you catch the ball, or nobody catch the ball.’ I ended up catching that goal ball so it definitely made me feel way better about offense and trying to make this team.”
As has been the case in years past, some players just play too well over the course of an offseason to be let go when it’s time to put together the final roster. We saw it back in the day from players like Matt Willis, and we almost saw it a year ago from Jordan Norwood before he tore his ACL.
Patton could be well on his way to having such an offseason, especially with the Broncos’ uncertain depth at receiver.
Right now, it would shock no one to see all new receivers on the roster behind Thomas, Sanders, and Latimer, and Patton could certainly be one of those players. If he keeps impressing the coaching staff, especially coach Kubiak, he’ll have the inside track to not only making the team but playing a critical role on special teams as well as with the offense.