First he was Malik Reed, “The Dream Killer”, the undrafted rookie sensation of Broncos training camp.

By Week 5 he had become Malik Reed, a more-than-capable replacement at outside linebacker for Bradley Chubb, lost for the season with a knee injury.

So, what’s the next label for Reed? Well, now that’s established his value to the franchise as an every-down player, he’s aiming high. Very high.

“Being like Von (Miller), that’s the next big step to take,” Reed said of the Broncos’ all-pro linebacker. “I put a lot on myself, and hold myself to a high standard, to where I’m going to try to achieve that (X-factor ability) any way that I can.”

In order to become more Miller-esque, Reed said his focus in the latter half of his rookie season is on improving his pass rush. Reed has 19 tackles but just one sack among 17 pressures. Miller has 102 career sacks and had 11.5 sacks as a rookie in 2011, which tied the Broncos’ single-season rookie record until Chubb broke it with a dozen sacks last year.

“I want to be more consistent in the pass rush,” Reed said. “I think I’ve been doing some pretty good things there, but being able to consistently be a disruptor, get pressure on the quarterback and be a force, that’s where I’m looking to get to. Especially opposite of Von, with how much pressure he generates, that can be big for us. It’s about being able to help the defense more in that way, while continuing to set the edges in the run game.”

Reed’s teammates are taking notice of his tunnel vision.

“Every time we played in a game in the preseason, he was always all around the football,” safety Justin Simmons said. “It was hard not to acknowledge who he was and what he was doing. He was flying around and making plays… He plays fast with a high-motor, high-energy type of effort, and that’s what has been consistent from him from day one. If anything, he’s taken that (focus) to another level with Chubb out.”

Chubb isn’t surprised at how well Reed is doing. Reed has the third-highest Pro Football Focus grade of any defensive rookie through Week 9, due primarily to his run-stuffing ability.

“I knew (Reed’s breakout) was going to happen and I’m so excited for him,” Chubb said. “Throughout camp, you saw the flashes of greatness and what he could be, and you’re seeing it on game day now.”

But there’s still plenty of room for growth in what could be a deep, talented linebacker group next season, with Miller, Chubb and inside linebacker Alexander Johnson, who has been a revelation. After emerging as a starter in Week 5, Johnson has earned Pro Football Focus’ AFC defensive player of the month honors for October.

“The way (Reed) will grow is to eliminate mistakes, the so-called rookie mistakes,” coach Vic Fangio said. “Like one time (against the Browns) we had a good coverage on and they checked the ball down to the tight end in the flat for about a 12-yard gain. He needed to be on that guy, and he wasn’t. It’s little (assignment) things like that.”

For his part, Reed said he’s “enjoying the process of learning from week to week” on the field and in the film room alongside Miller, the player whose production Reed believes he can someday emulate.

While Reed has just started on his professional journey, he’s already developed believers within the organization that he could get to Miller’s status.

“It’s about trusting in his ability and his tools,” Simmons said. “All that comes with repetition and picking both Von and Chubb’s brain while he’s still learning and adapting to the NFL. He’s doing a good job of filling in the rest on his own.”