Denver Broncos roster battle: Tyrie Cleveland vs. Tim Patrick

Tyrie Cleveland

Advantages

Speed and Athleticism

I realize Cleveland ran a very solid 4.46 at the Scouting Combine at 6-foot-2, 209 pounds, but this guy is so much faster than a 4.46 on tape.

In high school, Cleveland was running in the mid 4.3 range. There’s no way he’s gotten slower since then, and it shows when you put on the tape. He’s a legit 4.3 speed guy and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Broncos could confirm that from their tape study.

Not only is Cleveland much faster than Patrick, but he’s also got some other outstanding athletic traits, including explosive leaping ability. Cleveland posted a 39.5-inch vertical jump at the Combine with a 126-inch broad jump.

Patrick certainly is no slouch in the athletic department — he ran a 4.47 and posted a 37.5-inch vertical jump, but Cleveland’s traits stand out on tape in comparison.

Contract/Age

Although Tim Patrick is on a team-friendly one-year deal in 2019, the Broncos will get Cleveland on a four-year contract.

Combine the four years versus one year with Cleveland being four years younger than Patrick, and the advantage is clearly in the rookie’s favor.

Return game value

Although Tim Patrick has proven he can play special teams at the NFL level, that is certainly something Cleveland is known for coming out of Florida.

In fact, he adds an element to special teams that Patrick does not — kick return ability.

The Broncos may not be chomping at the bit to get Diontae Spencer out of the kickoff return mix, but Cleveland has proven that’s part of his game he can do very well.

Big plays/blocking

What the Broncos have gotten from Tim Patrick in flashes over the past couple of years — solid special teams play, the occasional big play, solid blocking — are the same types of things they can get from Tyrie Cleveland, just on a longer contract and with a younger player.