Denver Broncos: Tim Patrick yet another young breakthrough player
Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick was the team’s go-to receiver against the San Francisco 49ers, making some big plays along the way.
The 2018 season has been full of great stories with young breakout players coming to the forefront. Though the Denver Broncos are 6-7 and not in the position they would like to be in in an ideal world, they have shown they can win some games with their young core of talent.
Wide receiver Tim Patrick, a phenomenal story over the course of the offseason and into training camp, fought his way onto the roster after getting a job on the Broncos’ practice squad a season ago.
The 6-foot-4 Patrick was underrated coming out of college because of a gruesome leg injury he suffered, limiting him to really only one year of actual experience. In that one year, however, Patrick shined and put on a show on one of the biggest stages of his career when he went up against Adoree Jackson and USC.
Jackson ended up becoming a first-round pick of the Tennessee Titans while Patrick was an afterthought.
The athleticism he showed at the Utah pro day wasn’t enough to get him drafted, but Patrick has now found a home with the Denver Broncos and has been earning his keep, one special teams play and one reception at a time.
With Emmanuel Sanders down for the season due to an Achilles injury, Patrick saw his most extensive offensive work of the season against the 49ers, playing a season-high 64 offensive snaps.
He maximized those snaps, too. Patrick caught seven passes for 85 yards and was key on the Broncos’ late fourth-quarter drive in which multiple fourth-down conversions were needed.
He ended up making some really tough catches near the sideline and had one big play that should have been overturned by a replay review.
Patrick’s big play abilities can be a huge weapon for the Broncos, but they need to find a way to attack downhill more frequently.
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Against the Cleveland Browns, Patrick should get plenty of opportunities to show what he can do as a downfield playmaker. The Broncos plan on taking more shots and risks downfield offensively as they now have the personnel to win those one-on-one matchups with Patrick and rookie Courtland Sutton, along with Andre Holmes.
Denver has unearthed another gem in Patrick, who looks like he’s here to stay.