The Detroit Lions announced on Friday that they re-signed wide receiver Tim Patrick to an undisclosed deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. After missing all of the 2022 and 2023 seasons due to devastating injuries while with the Denver Broncos, Patrick latched on with Detroit's practice squad last fall and ended up playing in 16 regular-season games (nine starts) while contributing 33 catches on 44 targets for 394 yards and three touchdowns as the No. 3 wideout behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. The 31-year-old will return to a high-powered Lions offense that remains relatively unchained outside of a new offensive coordinator. Patrick could have some decent games again for the Lions in 2025, but unless St. Brown or Williams miss extended time due to injury, he'll be hard to justify as a flex option in standard 12-team fantasy leagues.
Jets Expected To Target Tim Patrick In Free Agency
The New York Jets are expected to target Detroit Lions impending free-agent wide receiver Tim Patrick in free agency this offseason because of his ties to new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, who was an assistant coach with the Lions last year, sources tell The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt. In addition to Patrick, Rosenblatt mentions Los Angeles Chargers impending free-agent receiver Joshua Palmer. The 31-year-old Patrick had a few injury-plagued seasons with the Denver Broncos before bouncing back with the Lions in 2024, when he caught 33 of 44 targets for 394 yards and three touchdowns in 16 regular-season games (nine starts). Palmer, 25, has averaged 15 yards per catch the last two seasons for the Bolts and is projected to receive a two-year, $13 million deal in free agency by PFF. Rosenblatt doesn't expect the Jets to go on a major spending spree in free agency.
Tim Patrick Tough To Trust After Quiet End To Regular Season
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick delivered a solid four-game stretch where he looked like one of the best No. 3 receivers in the NFL, but a subpar finish to the regular season has stripped him of some fantasy appeal as the Divisional Round gets underway. This week, Patrick gets ready for a matchup with the Washington Commanders, who have ranked near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers. They've also fared equally well against both slot and perimeter weapons, so Patrick's tendency to operate out wide doesn't give him much of an advantage. The veteran receiver caught two passes on three targets over his final three games during the regular season, consistently playing between 55 and 65 percent of the offensive snaps. His experience and veteran status do give him a slight boost in the playoffs, but he's still tough to trust given his reduced volume to end the regular season. Look for him to rank as a fringe top-24 fantasy receiver this week.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick snagged both of his targets for 15 yards in his team's 31-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings on SNF. The veteran was again not deployed much as his team cruised to victory -- ranking fifth on the Lions with each of his statistical totals. Patrick was involved in the offense for a stretch, averaging 3.8 receptions and 40.4 yards per game from Weeks 11 to 15. However, he's totaled two catches and 15 yards on three targets in the three games since. The 31-year-old is a solid NFL wideout in his own right but a distant fourth target in the receiving room, and that doesn't account for the presence of pass-catching RB Jahmyr Gibbs. While he may still have his moments playing on an elite offense, the San Diego native is a better receiver on the field than he is for fantasy. Detroit will get a week off in anticipation of their matchup in the divisional round.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick has had a decent season, especially for a wideout who missed so much time due to injuries over the years. He's appeared in 15 contests during the 2024-25 campaign, totaling 31 catches for 379 yards and three touchdowns. Without question, Patrick was more productive while a member of the Denver Broncos. He also hasn't been a trustworthy fantasy option, with that trend expected to continue when the Lions meet the Vikings in Week 18.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick did not see a target during Monday's victory over the San Francisco 49ers. While he was not targeted, Patrick did catch a two-point conversion during Monday's victory. Instead, quarterback Jared Goff relied on his top playmakers, Amon-Rs St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs, who all saw the vast majority of targets and attempts. This was Patrick's second time this season not seeing a single target in a game. Last weekend, during their victory over the Bears, Patrick saw just one pass his way but was unable to bring it in. This is a significant drop off compared to the solid 5.2 targets per game he saw during Weeks 11 through 15. During this stretch, he averaged 40.4 yards per game with 3.5 receptions per game. Being deployed as the clear No.4 option in this offense makes Patrick a difficult player to project weekly. Fantasy managers should continue to view him as a high-risk, desperation flex play heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Tim Patrick Not An Ideal Fantasy Option In Week 17
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick spent his entire career in Denver before injuries led him to his current team. While he was more productive with the Broncos, he has still played better than expected with the Lions. The 31-year-old has appeared in 14 games during the 2024-25 campaign, totaling 31 catches for 379 yards. But after amassing three touchdowns combined in meetings with the Packers and Bills, Patrick went cold against the Bears by failing to catch his only target. It's obvious Patrick can still play well. However, with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on the field, Patrick could struggle to get anything going on Monday night versus the 49ers, making him an extremely risky fantasy option.
Tim Patrick Falls Flat With No Receptions In Victory
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick could not bring in his lone target in his team's 34-17 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 16. Patrick saw his snaps tick down in this one -- falling under 45 total for the first time since Week 12 (42). It was a disappointing effort from the 31-year-old in a high-scoring outing for his squad, particularly after picking up 15 targets and three touchdowns over his last two games. However, his services were not required, with Detroit jumping out to an early lead over their rivals. It's possible he'll be more involved next week in a meeting with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. Still, it's fair to wonder what their starting lineup will be like with San Fran being eliminated from playoff contention. The Lions, though, are still fighting for their division and first place in the NFC. They project to be out in full force for the contest.
Tim Patrick Looking To Keep Touchdown Streak Alive
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick will be looking to keep his two-game touchdown streak going in a Week 16 divisional clash versus the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday. Patrick has seen a bigger role in the last two weeks against the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills, catching 10 of his 15 targets for 73 yards and three touchdowns. Prior to Week 14, though, Patrick hadn't seen more than four targets in a game. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher has 19 catches for 202 yards and the three TDs on 26 targets in his last five games, which has made him the WR29 in that span. With the elevated role of late, Patrick has settled in as Detroit's No. 3 receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams in a high-volume passing offense. However, he's still more of a touchdown-dependent WR4/5 in fantasy that will be taking on a Bears defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest half-PPR points per game to wideouts in the last five weeks.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick is a desperation play on Sunday in the Lions' showdown with the Buffalo Bills. The veteran has played more than half of Detroit's snaps in seven of the past eight games and is coming off a two-touchdown performance against Green Bay last week. That level of production, however, has been an anomaly, as Patrick has only two games with more than three catches. With the Lions likely to reserve high-quality touches for receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tight end Sam LaPorta, and the running back tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, Patrick is a fringe option at best, even in deep leagues.