Broncos should extend Tim Patrick while they can

As the NFL offseason kicks off, the Denver Broncos head into free agency with many positions in which they need to improve.

But while quarterback and defense are continually brought up as areas for improvement, one position group is not being mentioned: wide receiver.

Denver isn’t deep in a lot of areas, but wide receiver is one of those positions. However, the problem is that the depth is based on potential. And right now, the Broncos have only one sure-fire reliable player at the position.

Tim Patrick was one of the lone bright spots for Denver in 2020 despite being an afterthought to rising star Courtland Sutton and highly touted rookies Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler. He was the forgotten man in a crowded room.

But Patrick responded by having a breakout season, stepping up in a season in which he was not an intended focus of the Broncos offense.

Instead of wallowing, Patrick made the best of his opportunities. Instead of trying to earn his reps, he simply took them, utilizing his reliable hands and ability to get open.

Patrick will be a restricted free agent this offseason, and Denver can place as high as a second-round tender on him. But the Broncos should never even get there.

They should extend Patrick now.

With Sutton missing last season with an ACL tear and Jeudy and Hamler’s slow development, Patrick was suddenly the most dependable player in the group. With the team’s wideouts and running backs having inconsistent seasons, Patrick was the lone player who could be counted on.

Heading into 2021, the Broncos need somebody they can count on.

Sutton might need some time to reacclimate, as was the case with Bradley Chubb this past season. He can once again become a dominant wideout, but it could take time for him to hit his full stride.

Jeudy and Hamler are both still developing. Jeudy has the potential to break out at any moment, but drops still remain an issue. Hamler had flashes but also had drop issues and was unable to stay healthy.

Patrick will be the known commodity going into Week 1 while everyone else will try to reset their 2020 season.

However, it goes beyond 2021.

Extending Patrick now relieves the pressure next offseason to break the bank for Sutton, who’s in a contract year.

More important for the Broncos front office, extending Patrick would not be a costly move.

Patrick is not a player who will set the market but could have an enormous impact on the field. An extension would not be a burden on Denver’s salary cap and would allow the team to solidify the wide receiver position for the next few seasons.

Aside from Garett Bolles, no player on the Broncos offense had a bigger breakout season than Patrick. Yet, he remains underrated.

Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus forgot to include Patrick when naming wide receivers with 70 targets and zero drops — an error that was rectified after the wideout himself pointed it out.

But Patrick still flies under the radar in the NFL. It makes no sense to wait to sign him to a long-term extension. If he continues to progress, next offseason he could be commanding top money.

George Paton will face many tough decisions in his first season as the Broncos general manager. He has decisions regarding the quarterback position, Von Miller and Justin Simmons.

But the good news for Paton is there’s one easy decision to make: extend Tim Patrick.