Tim Patrick is NFL's Most Underappreciated Wide Receiver
While the Denver Broncos have been eliminated from playoff contention in the AFC, they secured a win in a shootout game against the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. Denver posted 32 points after a number of disappointing offensive outings, getting one of the best performances of quarterback Drew Lock’s young career.
Wide receiver Tim Patrick scored his 6th touchdown of the season, and 3rd over his past two games. Patrick has been one of the least talked about success stories of the season, proving that his skill-set is underappreciated. During the absence of star receiver Courtland Sutton, Patrick has stepped up and become the Broncos leader in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Patrick has had a unique path to this point in his career, originally playing football and basketball in junior college for three years before transferring to Utah. He spent two seasons with the Utes battling injuries before finally being able to significantly contribute in 2016. Even in his final season, he missed a game and parts of others due to injuries.
Patrick entered the NFL at an advanced age, with a lengthy injury history, and with just one season of notable production. For that reason, he went undrafted in 2017 despite a promising pro day workout.
He bounced from Baltimore to San Francisco before landing on Denver’s practice squad. After a year honing his skills, he was finally called up to the active roster at the start of the 2018 season and has yet to look back.
Patrick has received expanded playing time this year on a consistent basis for the first time in his NFL career, showing off his athletic traits.
Tim Patrick at Utah’s 2017 Pro Day
6’4, 208 pounds
4.47s Forty Yard Dash (64th Percentile)
37.5 inch Vertical Jump (77th Percentile)
10’5 Broad Jump (78th Percentile)
Patrick has produced 43 receptions for 643 yards and 6 touchdowns through 12 games this season, and his advanced numbers jump off the page. Patrick averages 9.6 yards per target (while every other Broncos pass has averaged just 6.2 yards), has 0 drops and a passer rating when targeted of 106.7.
With Patrick’s size, athleticism and basketball background, he’s shown the ability to win above the rim and make receptions while contested. His strength allows him to beat contact during his route stems, becoming a weapon at the “X” receiver spot outside the numbers.
Patrick has been Denver’s best option upon entering the redzone, having scored 1/3 of the Broncos receiving touchdowns. Even more impressive, all 6 of his touchdowns have come from inside the 10-yard line.
He has the speed to outrace defenders to the pylon, the physicality to win inside on routes - a key trait for receivers in condensed space - and the body control to high point the fade route.
Patrick has the traits of a traditional “X,” but his impressive tape goes beyond the typical oversized receiver. His change of direction on underneath routes has really popped, specifically against the Miami Dolphins.
Patrick ran a “Whip” route, which calls for the wide receiver to sell a Slant route before redirecting towards the sideline. You’ll notice that he’s able to stop and accelerate within two steps, sending highly-paid cornerback Byron Jones off-balance.
While Patrick’s route tree and role in the offense has limited the amount of “YAC” (yards after catch) opportunities, he’s effective in that area when called upon. Again against Miami, he found himself in space after catching a Slant route.
Patrick was running across the field after the catch, but Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard had him leveraged to the outside. Patrick changed his path to more upfield, making Howard lean inside, only for Patrick to bubble back outside and get up the sideline.
That throw from Drew Lock, though.
Patrick’s breakout season has come later in his career than most, as he’s already 27 years-old due to his prolonged collegiate days. He’s slated to be a restricted free agent this offseason, but his underrated skill-set should fetch him quite the market.
With his progression into a complete receiver on film and quality analytical profile, Patrick has proven capable of thriving with a WR2 workload.