Predominantly Orange
FanSided

Denver Broncos roster battle: Tyrie Cleveland vs. Tim Patrick

By Sayre Bedinger

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 25: Wide Receiver Tyrie Cleveland #9 from Florida of the South Team during the 2020 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 25: Wide Receiver Tyrie Cleveland #9 from Florida of the South Team during the 2020 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Denver Broncos, Tyrie Cleveland
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 05: Tyrie Cleveland #89 of the Florida Gators looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Auburn Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

Who would win a spot?

We can talk about traits and hypotheticals all day, but this is a very even match on paper.

The experience and development of Patrick combined with the team clearly liking him quite a bit are huge advantages in his favor.

Cleveland’s four-year rookie contract, outstanding traits, and all-around special teams prowess are all huge factors in his favor.

If I had to decide this today, I would take Tyrie Cleveland to make the final roster. The biggest advantage being his age and the fact that he’s going to be on a four-year deal.

Now, the Broncos could attempt to keep Cleveland on the practice squad while holding Patrick on the active roster for this season. They also have Patrick as a restricted free agent in 2021 if they want, so this isn’t quite four years versus one, but more like four years versus two.

If I had to pick just one, though, I am taking the guy with the flashier traits and the longer contract at a younger age. Although he’s only got 24 games of NFL experience, Patrick has been around for a while and he’s done a heck of a job, but he hasn’t taken a stranglehold of his spot just yet.

Next. 3 running backs vying for 1 roster spot. dark

Cleveland is going to have to prove himself on special teams and on offense to truly beat out Patrick for a roster spot, but there are signs pointing in that direction.

Home/Broncos News