When the Detroit Lions signed wide receiver Tim Patrick to their practice squad, I was very optimistic about his potential role and opportunity with the team. Over a month with the team and it’s pretty clear that Patrick is starting to develop his role within the Lions offense.
Setting in around 30 offensive snaps a game, Patrick is making the most of his opportunities. Whether he’s blocking or catching passes, it’s been nothing but positives for him. Especially since there was a lot of uncertainty around what he could and could not do for an offense as he spent consecutive seasons on injured reserve.
Looking healthy from a torn ACL in 2022 and torn Achilles in 2023, Patrick is becoming a difference maker that most fans didn’t think the Lions would need. Over the last two weeks, he’s recorded 5 receptions on 5 targets for 120 yards and four first downs. Let’s dive into some tape to see how it’s all coming together for him.
Love this adjustment and catch from Lions WR Tim Patrick. Meanwhile, check out David Montgomery on the blitz pickup. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/3NTCZlrFHr
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) October 15, 2024
Starting with one of the most recent receptions from Patrick, it was one of the first plays of the game and it was a deep shot to Tim Patrick down the sideline.
On the play above, you’ll see the Lions come out in a trips formation and to the bottom of the screen is Tim Patrick. While working vertically down the field, Patrick gets past the defender and despite facing plenty of contact from him, Patrick does a great job making this catch. It was a great adjustment and one of those plays that not only gives Jared Goff confidence but gives the receiver confidence as well.
Lions WR Tim Patrick has gotten better each week for the Lions and you just love to see it. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/3baKpnPfkS
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) October 15, 2024
The next play I want to focus on is how Tim Patrick helps Jared Goff attack the middle of the field. One of the big things that helped the Lions offense last year was being able to hit on crossers over the middle, slant routes and dig routes.
So looking at the play above, the Lions come out from under center and prior to the snap, Jameson Williams is sent on a jet motion. In the process, the ball is snapped and while it appears like Williams could get the ball, Goff actually fakes a hand-off to Jahmyr Gibbs.
From there, Goff begins to process downfield and while he starts to his left, he quickly works right. As he does, you can see Tim Patrick running vertically upfield before breaking his route back to the middle of the field. Now I’m calling this route a dig but the more I watch it, it could be a deep curl. It does appear that Patrick slips just a step but overall, it’s a great pitch and catch from Goff and Patrick.
So far this season, Patrick is up to 8 receptions for 140 yards. Over the last two weeks, he’s had long gains of 29 yards (vs Seattle) and 42 yards (vs Dallas). As I said, the rapport is starting to build between Goff and Patrick. With that building, it should force defenders to honor Patrick more when he’s on the field, and that should do wonders for the rest of the playmakers on the Lions offense.