Denver Broncos: Tim Patrick is making plays everywhere

Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick starting to be more complete at the position.

The Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick was an unknown before finding his home with Denver. Patrick was one of the players from Utah who was of draft pick consideration but never received the phone call through seven rounds.

Patrick did land with the San Francisco 49ers initially, but it didn’t last. That is until Denver called to bring him in on futures deal.

Patrick, since joining the Broncos, has been proving to be more and more consistent in his all-around game as a wide receiver. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur is noticing the improvements and versatility in Patrick’s game.

Shurmur made it a point of emphasis to mention Patrick’s run blocking. Patrick is a big-bodied wide receiver who loves the go route or nine routes. Yet, Patrick is a presence to open holes in the running game by getting his hands dirty and mixing it up with defensive backs.

If Patrick himself feels he is a number one receiver, these are underrated traits that prove he can be that guy. One trait which defined Denver Broncos great Demaryius Thomas was run blocking and willingness to do the physical dirty work required of him. If Patrick wants to separate himself from other players, consistency is supreme here.

The other important detail Shurmur mentions is Patrick is capable of playing all three wide receiver positions. Now that is a curveball. Patrick is already proving to be a reliable wideout on third down for Drew Lock and Denver Broncos offense. The physicality Patrick brings on go-routes is pretty impressive. He shows a skill set in hand-fighting to put himself in a winnable position on throws.

Lock also trusts Patrick potentially more than any wide receiver on third down currently. If this can translate to working as a second wide receiver or slot, then Patrick’s opportunities for more catches will skyrocket. Patrick as a third option or slot is a solid choice for Lock if that relationship is consistently established. It means the offense is close to hitting on all cylinders without their top option Courtland Sutton in the lineup.

Against the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick made it a priority to eliminate Jerry Jeudy from the game. This opened opportunities for Tim Patrick and Albert Okwuegbunam regularly in the passing game. If Denver does not show consistent regularity in their running attack against Kansas City, then Patrick’s chances can continue in a big way.

Looking ahead to 2021, once Courtland Sutton returns, Patrick will see more targets because of attention to Sutton as a true number one.

Pat Shurmur’s statement more than likely stems from Patrick’s comment regarding himself as a true number one wide receiver. Patrick is not flashy like Sutton, Jeudy, or KJ Hamler. However, there are nuances to his game where he does not have a true weakness.

Patrick does everything so well it is hard to pinpoint something he does wrong. There’s a place in the NFL for players like this. For example, former New York Jets wide receiver Quincey Enunwa is someone Patrick might compare to. Enunwa, like Patrick, never had true explosiveness to his game. Patrick can be identical to Enunwa in those aspects of the NFL. He belongs.

Once the offseason hits, Denver will have a decision to make regarding Patrick. He is a restricted free agent which means Denver can tender him an offer to keep him or sign him to a true extension. Early on this season and his current Broncos career, he warrants a payday.