Five Receiving Options to Replace Tim Patrick
In the wake of Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick tearing his ACL on day six of Broncos training camp and now out for the season, Denver is now in a position where the team may face slight adversity.
Tim Patrick was the projected Broncos' second receiving option, expected to flourish under Russell Wilson, and was an outspoken leader in the locker room. Moving forward with his absence it comes to question what will general manager George Paton and first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett do to alleviate the loss.
Rely on the rookies and undrafted receivers in training camp
No.12 Montrell Washington during Denver Broncos training camp
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As the cheapest and most beneficial option to replace Tim Patrick; George Paton and Nathaniel Hackett moving forward will have to rely on second-year player Seth Williams, 2022 fifth-round draft pick Montrell Washington, specialist Tyrie Cleveland, dual quarterback and receiver Kendall Hinton, former standout receiver Travis Fulgham, and several undrafted rookies to step up.
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When I think of a plug-and-play player to replace Tim Patrick, former Denver Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders comes to mind, due to his performance last season with the Bills recording four touchdowns, 42 receptions, and 626 receiving yards on 72 targets as the second option to Josh Allen before receiver Gabriel Davis would take over. Ultimately signaling Sanders's time with Buffalo was over.
Signing Emmanuel Sanders would be the ideal scenario considering his previous ties with Denver, possibly playing tribute to Demaryius, acting as a mentor to the younger players, and being a strong depth piece to an all-ready stacked offense. The only cons of signing Emmanuel would be because of his time previously leaving Denver in a not-so-memorable manner and his openness to being the third maybe even fourth option at receiver
3. T.Y. Hilton
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Once garnered as a top 10 wide receiver, T.Y. Hilton in his prime was a reliable 1000 plus yard receiver however with age, injuries, and a diminished role season after season. It became clear that Hilton's career with Indianapolis was concluding. Now at the age of 32, T.Y. Hilton will have to adjust to a mentor or slot-receiving role. Which is why the Broncos would seem to be a good option as he would be in a similar role to Emmanuel Sanders. The only con about signing Hilton however is the questions revolving around his health as last season he played only 10 games recording three touchdowns, 23 receptions, and 331 receiving yards on 37 targets as an option behind Michael Pittman Jr. and Zach Pascal.
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Among the available receiver options left in free agency, former Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings receiver Dede Westbrook is a guy the team could look into as a depth piece and role player that was active last season playing 15 games recording 68 yards and 10 receptions on 15 targets. Justifying him to be a serviceable player to take a risk on. Considering as well his familiarity with the offense as the Broncos current passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach is former Minnesota offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak who may know what Westbrook can bring to the table if he were to be signed by Denver.
5. Trade Market
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At the time of this article being written, there are no wide receivers available on the trade market however with preseason kicking off and position battles beginning to ramp up. Denver Broncos general manager George Paton may look to make a deal with a team for a certain receiver.
Something Paton has shown to be successful at, so far, wheeling and dealing picks for players who were near the chopping block to then become contributing players for Denver, like Jonas Griffith, Kenny Young, and Stephen Weatherly.
A couple of names that could be available are Laviska Shenault Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars), Albert Wilson (Minnesota Vikings), Jalen Reagor or Greg Ward (both Philadelphia Eagles), and much more depending on the Broncos preseason performances.
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