Matt Paradis one of the top breakout players of 2016 by Pro Football Focus

Every year Pro Football Focus releases a list of their top ten breakout players of the year: players who improved the most upon last year’s performance. For the 2015 season, Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe made the list. This year, Matt Paradis earned a spot for his stellar 2016 campaign.

He came in at #3 out of ten. Here’s what Pro Football Focus had to say.

3. Matt Paradis, C, Denver Broncos

Last year, Broncos center Matt Paradis played the occasional good game, but there was little (or nothing, really) that suggested he would put together a 2016 campaign that vied with the best players at his position, but that’s exactly what happened. Paradis has been fantastic as a run blocker in 2016, and in pass protection, he surrendered just three sacks or hits (17 total pressures), while also earning a positive grade on the move when blocking for screens. Paradis is not only a true breakout player, but one of the league’s most-improved performers overall.

Paradis elevated his game to one of the top at his position just one season removed from the practice squad. He finished the year as Pro Football Focus’ #1 graded center earning a 90.7 overall grade, improving from his 78.4 grade last year.

Matt has quickly emerged as a leader on this offense and was one of the few bright spots on that side of the ball this year. He also did all this while battling injury all year.

Not too bad for a former late 6th round pick who spent a year on the practice squad. While the rest of the line may be a mess, at least we know we have one position locked firmly down for 2017.

Get healthy Paradis, we’re going to need you.