Tim Patrick DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

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.

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.