The Denver Broncos have began the process of trimming their roster from 90 to 53 players. Trade calls usually take place during this process and the Broncos are gauging potential trade interest surrounding veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick and running back Samaje Perine.

Denver Broncos exploring trades for Tim Patrick, Samaje Perine

Going into Sunday’s final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Denver Broncos decided to hold out veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick and running back Samaje Perine. For Patrick, it appeared as if he had made the Broncos final roster based on his return performance in Denver’s Week 2 preseason win against the Green Bay Packers. Now, all signs point to him being traded, along with Perine.

Patrick returned to Denver on a new deal this offseason and came out to compete and prove he deserved a spot on the roster, which I feel he earned, but it appears he has received some trade interest from other teams around the NFL according to 9News’ Mike Klis.

In Denver’s win against the Packers two weeks ago, Patrick hauled in four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown and made several smart decisions to find the right spots against Green Bay’s zone coverage. He looked promising with the first-team offense, and Bo Nix was promising, especially as a potential security blanket option for the rookie QB who will start this season for the Broncos.

Patrick has grinded his way back from two major injuries, an ACL in 2022, and Achilles injury in 2023 — which could have very well ended his career. He made tremendous progress in his recovery and has played himself back into another opportunity in the NFL, even if it appears that he won’t be with the Broncos this season.

One has to wonder which receivers have given head coach Sean Payton enough confidence to continue pursuing the youth movement the team has embraced. Courtland Sutton will lead the room, followed by Marvin Mims, veteran Josh Reynolds, and what appears to be rookies Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin. How many they decide to carry at the position after that is up in the air.

Where does Samaje Perine land?

As first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Broncos are also looking at trade interest surrounding veteran running back Samaje Perine.

The team plans to move on from him as they move forward with Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Audric Estime as guaranteed roster locks going into 2024. Williams looks refreshed and fully healthy, two years removed from a major knee injury — McLaughlin has earned the RB2 job, and Estime looks like a promising third option for Payton and the offense.

Keep an eye on the Dallas Cowboys as a potential team to emerge here for Perine. If Denver can’t find a trade partner for Patrick or Perine, both players will more than likely be released by the 2:00 p.m. MT deadline on Tuesday.