Patrick was on the rise after going undrafted out of Utah in 2017. The 6-foot-4 wideout displayed size, good hands and the ability to line up in multiple spots. His progress was so substantial Broncos GM George Paton inked him to a three-year, $30 million deal in November of 2021 — a move which looked prescient last offseason with WR contracts going bonkers.
But the ACL tear prematurely wiped out what could have been a big breakout season.
Patrick’s injury might have flown under the radar nationally, but it had a disastrous effect on Denver’s scheme. While not devastating to a WR corps that still boasted Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, his absence destabilized the plan and forced a shuffling of the lineup.
Patrick’s return, hopefully fully healthy after a year of rehab, would be a big boon for Payton’s first season. The wideout told Smith Sr. he’s already working on cutting on the surgically repaired knee and working on not thinking about the injury.
“I feel like that’s going to happen when there’s a defender in front of me,” Patrick said. “It’s either going to be the choice of getting locked up or you’re going to get open for a catch. And I want a catch, so I’m not even going to worry about what I’ve got going on. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get open.”
With KJ Hamler already dealing with another injury for the WR room, Patrick remaining on course to return is key for the Broncos’ corps in 2023.