5 Denver Broncos players showing breakout signs early at training camp
Denver Broncos possible breakout player no. 2: Aaron Patrick, EDGE
You’ve got to love the dark horse among dark horses.
There are few position groups on the Denver Broncos roster that will likely be tougher to crack the final roster than off the edge.
Depending on the roster-building philosophy of this coaching staff, we could see at least five or six edge players kept on the roster, and not just for pass-rushing purposes.
Aaron Patrick suited up for 12 games last year with the Denver Broncos, and most fans probably have no idea who he is.
He’s the guy out on the field wearing DeMarcus Ware’s old no. 94 and flying off the edge at practice.
According to those in attendance, Patrick is showing off his ability to play the edge in addition to getting that “core special teamer” label from special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes earlier this offseason.
McAllister swallowed up by Aaron Patrick, who does a great job setting the edge on some sort of stretch play
— Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars) July 28, 2022
Aaron Patrick is not unlike a lot of guys that George Paton has brought in during his time as GM with the Denver Broncos.
This guy is an absolute freak athlete off the edge at 6-foot-4 and change, 245 pounds, and nearly 35-inch arms.
He had an other-worldly 39-inch vertical jump at that size with a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash.
Obviously, that kind of size and speed can help your special teams unit, but that kind of get-off (a very good 1.60 10-yard split) is also coveted in today’s NFL.
There are some guys you just can’t let hit the waiver wire and after poaching him from the Jaguars last year, the Broncos might be wise to figure out a way to keep Aaron Patrick on the roster one way or another.