Demaryius Thomas has stepped his game up in a crucial area for the Denver Broncos

When Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas signed a five-year, $70 million contract extension two offseasons ago,  expectations for him to become one of the league’s elite pass catchers were through the roof.

While Thomas finished the 2015 regular season with an extremely respectable 105 receptions for 1,304 yards and six touchdowns, many analysts and fans seemingly took more notice of the receiver’s nine drops during those games; a mark that tied for third most around the NFL.

Not only has Thomas improved the one area of weakness that seemed to be his undoing a season ago, amassing only four drops through ten games thus far this year, the wide receiver labeled a ‘physical freak’ has also stepped up his game in the leadership department.

Thomas’ efforts to increase his role as a leader on the team have caught the eye of Broncos coaches and players alike, including head coach Gary Kubiak.

“I think, along the way, Demaryius has seen the fact that [Former Broncos QB] Peyton [Manning] is not here from a leadership [standpoint],” he said. “From me watching him, he has slowly worked himself into taking the group over and being a little bit more vocal because that’s really not him. You’re watching him take on that personality a little bit more. I think we kind of expected that to happen. He’s doing his job and playing really well.”

With a Denver running game that currently ranks 18^th in the NFL with a meager 974 yards rushing, Thomas’ on-field production is proving to be just as paramount as his increasing role as a team leader.

Earlier this week, Denver quarterback Trevor Siemian shared his thoughts on the importance of getting the ball to his playmakers.

“You have to get him and [WR] Emmanuel [Sanders] as many touches as you can, somehow, some way,” Siemian stated. “A lot of that is on me [to find] them when they’re open. Even when they’re not open, they’re open.”

In the team’s most recent victory over the Saints in New Orleans this past weekend, Thomas notched his second-most productive game of the season, accumulating 87 receiving yards on eight catches and a touchdown grab.

“He is a captain of this football team and when he plays with that type of emotion and that type of fire, and he’s making those plays, usually good things are happening for our team,” the head coach expressed. “‘D.T.’ has been very consistent and he’s capable of taking the team on his shoulders.”

Although the team will likely see some key players return from injury after the upcoming bye week—most notably cornerback Aqib Talib and defensive end Derek Wolfe—there is no doubt that the combination of Thomas’ leadership and production on the gridiron must remain at its current level, or even reach higher levels, for the Broncos to improve offensively and make another playoff push.