Tim Patrick came to the Detroit Lions last season surrounded by question marks, having missed the previous two seasons with a pair of devastating injuries.
The 31-year-old put any lingering doubts about his abilities to rest during the season, however, making 33 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns and providing a strong complement to top receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
But Patrick could return to a tenuous spot on the roster, with one insider suggesting he could hit the trade block in the weeks leading up to the start of the regular season.
Tim Patrick Becoming an ‘Afterthought’ in Lions Offense
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox identified one player from each team who could be traded before the season started, identifying Patrick as the candidate from the Lions. Knox noted that Patrick’s spot on the depth chart has faced a serious challenge thanks to two newcomers who seized an early opportunity to shine.
“The 31-year-old signed a one-year contract to return to Detroit this offseason, but he could be pushed out of significant playing time,” Knox wrote. “Rookie receivers Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett both made noise in the Hall of Fame Game and had generated some attention before that in training camp.”
As Knox noted, reporter Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press called Patrick an “afterthought at times” under new offensive coordinator John Morton. The diminishing role, combined with an affordable salary, could make Patrick an attractive trade candidate.
“If it looks like the Utah product won’t contribute consistently this season, the Lions should see what they can get for him in return,” Knox wrote. “A potential contender on a tight budget could be particularly interested in Patrick and his $1.3 million base salary.”
Patrick’s past production could give him a boost. Despite missing the 2022 season with a torn ACL and the 2023 season with a torn Achilles, he has a strong history of production with 176 career receptions for 2,403 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Not Much Competition Within Detroit’s Receiving Corps
The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy, in his early prediction of the team’s final 53-man roster, suggested there would not be much drama in the receiving corps. He noted that the top of the depth chart is set, with five positions likely set in stone — and Patrick one of them.
Pouncy suggested that Brown, Williams, and Patrick were locks for the final roster along the rookie TeSlaa and Kalif Raymond. That left just one spot up for grabs, with fellow rookie Lovett in the lead.
“The first five names here are all roster locks, and at this point, Lovett has the best shot out of the other rookie receivers to make the roster,” Pouncy wrote. “He’s been adding value on special teams and has been one of Detroit’s top targets, along with TeSlaa, on the second-team offense. But he needs a better showing in the Falcons game to overcome a poor performance vs. the Chargers. He had a bad drop on Detroit’s first drive and had a pass from Hooker ripped out of his hands for an interception.”
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