The Jacksonville Jaguars have a problem. A good one, mind you. They have too many exceptional wide receivers.
Some are led to believe this is a poor reflection on GM James Gladstone's bold trade up for Travis Hunter in last year's draft. On the contrary. Hunter's move to full-time cornerback and occasional wideout in 2026 underscores just how impressive the Jaguars' receiving corps truly is.
Unfortunately, there will be some odd men out. That includes a respected if underrated veteran whose chances of sticking around Duval County aren't good at all.
Tim Patrick could make an impact elsewhere, just not in Jaguars' loaded wide receiver corps
Despite not being a household name per se, Tim Patrick is of the most inspirational stories across the entire NFL in recent years. He missed two full seasons due to Achilles and ACL injuries, only to rally back and play a key role for the 15-2 Detroit Lions in 2024.
Patrick came to Jacksonville in a trade that netted the Lions a 2026 sixth-round pick. He'd just come off a season with 33 catches for 394 yards and three TDs. The 32-year-old matched that TD total for the Jags on just 15 receptions in 2025.
But again, Patrick's probable exit from the team this offseason is much more to do with other players than his own merits.
Parker Washington rapidly ascended in his second year as a pro to become the team's leading receiver. The Jags' in-season trade for Jakobi Meyers was a masterstroke. Rising third-year playmaker Brian Thomas Jr. had a sophomore slump, but he's worth betting on for the long haul. BTJ had the third-most receiving yards in the NFL as a rookie.
If Gladstone were to retain anyone for receiver depth, it'd probably be Dyami Brown. He's a speedier, more dangerous deep threat than Patrick, who's more of a possession receiver and red zone-friendly target with his towering 6'5" frame.
Patrick is projected by Spotrac to only cost $3 million per year. Speaking of Brown, he came over from the Commanders, who sure could use an inside-out versatile target like Patrick for quarterback Jayden Daniels. That team has few pass-catchers to bank on outside of Terry McLaurin.
I'd also look out for the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens as potential Patrick landing spots. New Orleans has a legit WR1 in Chris Olave and another weapon in Devaughn Vele who was acquired from the Broncos. Funnily enough, that's where Patrick spent seven seasons.
To these eyes, Patrick is the player the Saints want Vele to be. Not a better bargain of a mentor for Vele than Patrick. Their common experiences in Denver make that an even better fit.
If Patrick wants a more realistic chance at a Super Bowl, he might want to roll with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson in Baltimore instead.
You can see how Patrick will still be coveted even if the Jags let him walk as expected. I'm rooting for him. He's overcome a lot of adversity, scrapped his way for every rep to break out with the Broncos, and has stayed healthy through two seasons to where he's plenty fresh enough to be a difference-maker.