Denver Broncos: Five players who must be better in week two

Tim Patrick, WR

Tim Patrick made his way onto the Broncos’ active roster by making impossible catches look easy in training camp and in the preseason. He also made the team by being an ace on special teams.

He looked good on special teams in the season opener against the Seahawks, but Patrick whiffed on his huge opportunity to make a play offensively.

Late in the third quarter, Case Keenum found Patrick over the middle wide open. Patrick would have run with virtually no one standing in his way to the end zone had he caught the ball, which was a little high, but he mistimed his jump and was descending to the ground as the ball barely escaped his grasp.

The Broncos do not necessarily need Patrick to be a spark for the offense — they have plenty of those — but when he’s given opportunities, he’s got to cash in. He has the potential to catch 20-25 balls this season and average about 20 yards per reception and perhaps add a touchdown every fourth or fifth game.

The Broncos aren’t going to feature him unless there’s an injury, but I would like to see him make the play he could have made on Sunday and prove himself to be a major asset both offensively and on special teams. Those plays cannot be left on the field.