Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick is out for the 2022 season. If the team chooses to look outside the roster for an upgrade, who are possibilities?
The Denver Broncos are sadly going to be without stud wide receiver Tim Patrick for the entire 2022 season after the veteran suffered a torn ACL during the team’s sixth training camp practice.
Patrick was carted off the field during practice and the entire team stopped practice as no. 81 was helped into the locker room.
The team’s worst fears were realized.
Now, the team is left in a very interesting situation. KJ Hamler has returned to practice off the PUP list, but is expected to be monitored closely until the start of the regular season.
Tyrie Cleveland is also out right now, leaving the team with a bunch of young players vying for roster spots behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy.
Should general manager George Paton look outside his current roster for some help? Here are some options that could be available.
Denver Broncos need reinforcements after Tim Patrick injury
Option no. 1: Will Fuller (free agent)
Sure, let’s beat on this drum again, why not?
The Denver Broncos should absolutely be looking into Will Fuller, and I’m sure some of you are thinking the same thing that I have been hearing from a lot of people on Twitter.
But Will Fuller is injury prone!
Sure, that’s been the case throughout his NFL career, but the guy is also a former first-round pick and one of the best proven deep threats in the NFL when he’s healthy.
At this point, you might need a committee approach to the receiver position anyway, and Fuller is as worthwhile of a dart throw as anyone, especially with a key starter going down with an injury.
Denver Broncos option no. 2: Trade for Preston Williams (Dolphins)
Preston Williams was once a star receiver at Colorado State and is currently perhaps on the outside looking in with the Miami Dolphins.
Williams had seven touchdowns in his first couple of seasons with the Dolphins, but they’ve obviously been cleaning house lately and they revamped their wide receiver room over the last 18 months in a big way.
It started last year when they took Alabama receiver Jaylen Waddle, who instantly became a focal point of their offense.
Then, in free agency, they signed Dallas Cowboys receiver Cedrick Wilson before making a blockbuster trade to acquire Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs.
It’s possible that Williams — listed at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds — could be an ideal and cost-friendly replacement for someone like Tim Patrick.
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton has a strong relationship with Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, so it’s possible we could see these two teams come together for a trade regardless at some point.
Denver Broncos option no. 3: Trade for Laviska Shenault (Jaguars)
Yes, we’re going to bring this one up yet again.
This is something that I’ve been suggesting since the rumors began that the Jacksonville Jaguars might be amenable to trading Laviska Shenault, which seems silly to me.
Although the chances of landing Shenault may have been better with Urban Meyer in the building, the Jaguars still went out this offseason and made major changes to their wide receiver room.
Shenault might still be in the plans, or he might not.
A trade like this might be much more likely to happen closer to the end of the preseason as roster cuts start happening but the Broncos could, at the very least, call and ask what the price is if the Jaguars still have any intention of trading Shenault.
The former Colorado star was a second-round pick by the Jaguars back in 2020 and had some great moments during his rookie season.
He was expected to be a much bigger focal point in 2021 but wound up as one of the biggest disappointments instead.
Despite 100 targets in the passing game, Shenault ended last season with zero touchdowns and didn’t eclipse his rookie season in yards from scrimmage.
Doug Pederson could undoubtedly find a better way to use him in 2022 but if the Jaguars are still interested in getting value for Shenault, he could be a fun addition to the Denver Broncos with two years left on his rookie deal.
Denver Broncos option no. 4: Trade for a Packers WR
The Green Bay Packers don’t exactly have the greatest group of wide receivers in the NFL after the Davante Adams trade to the Raiders, but they do have a bunch of guys that are familiar with head coach Nathaniel Hackett and offensive coordinator Justin Outten.
Is trading for Allen Lazard out of reach even after the Packers drafted Christian Watson and have seen the emergence of Romeo Doubs early in training camp?
Probably, but then again, you never know.
The Packers don’t seem to be featuring 2021 third-round pick Amari Rodgers all that much, so perhaps he’s on the block as well.
This team is in a similar situation to the Broncos in that, they have a lot of young guys on the roster that could very well end up making it, but they might have more guys they like than roster spots available.
One possible reunion on the table?
Juwann Winfree.
Winfree has been notorious for playing well at training camp for the Packers but not showing up in the regular season. Perhaps a second chance in Denver could be exactly what the former Broncos sixth-round pick needs to jumpstart his career.
Winfree has been having a good camp so far in 2022 for the Packers and there’s a chance that coach Hackett has liked him for a long time.
Maybe a Packers receiver could be on the radar.
Denver Broncos option no. 5: Trade for Darius Slayton (Giants)
Somewhat surprisingly, it seems like Darius Slayton could be on the outside looking in for the New York Giants with new general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll.
He’s certainly doing his part to upgrade his value…
NASTY catch from Darius Slayton — he’ll drop an easy one but snag this.
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) August 2, 2022
He has value but he’s got to be more consistent catching the football #NYG
pic.twitter.com/3EBQfAFaSY
If Slayton is truly on the block, he could be a great potential weapon to give to Russell Wilson.
He averaged over 15 yards per reception in his first two NFL seasons and also racked up 11 touchdowns, including eight scores as a rookie.
Last year his role was significantly minimized and he ended up with just 26 receptions in 13 games.
With 4.39 speed, he would be a totally different type of player out there than Tim Patrick, but a proven player with just one year left on his rookie deal who might not break the bank in terms of trade return.
The Giants are seemingly holding onto former first-round pick Kadarius Toney after some trade rumors there, and they also drafted Wan’Dale Robinson in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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If they have Slayton on the block, that’s an avenue George Paton should definitely be exploring.