The Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off a trade on Wednesday that saw wide receiver Tim Patrick change addresses — and experts have weighed in with their grades for the move.
The Lions traded Patrick to the Jaguars in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. The move shortens Detroit's depth at wide receiver but also clears the way for rookie wideout Isaac TeSlaa, who has been impressive this offseason.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox weighed in on the deal and gave the Lions a "B" grade while giving the Jaguars an "A".
Knox called the return for the Lions "a bit underwhelming" but is on board with the deal overall because it opens the door for TeSlaa to have a bigger role.
Patrick doesn't possess the exact skill set of Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, but he can give Coen a similar size mismatch to utilize in short-yardage situations and in the red zone. He'll also give Jacksonville something it doesn't have in top receivers Brian Thomas Jr., Dyami Brown and Travis Hunter.
The compensation is a bit underwhelming for Detroit, but there's logic behind unloading Patrick. Doing so fully opens the door for rookie Isaac TeSlaa to become the team's third receiver and should provide earlier opportunities for rookie Dominic Lovett to see the field.
Walter Cherepinsky of Walter Football sees things a bit differently, as he gave Detroit an "A-" while giving the Jaguars a "B+" grade.
This trade makes sense for both teams. The Jaguars had no depth behind Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter, so Patrick will serve as a reliable No. 3 option for Trevor Lawrence at a relatively low price. The Lions, meanwhile, had to make room for the impressive Isaac TeSlaa to play, so they could afford to move Patrick for a late-round pick.
Clutch Points' Matt Wadleigh is giving the Lions an "A" for their decision to trade Patrick and proclaims that Detroit won the deal over the Jaguars, who he gave an "A-".
Wadleigh points to Detroit's depth at wide receiver and the emergence of TeSlaa as his reasons for being high on the move. Meanwhile, Wadleigh lauds Jacksonville for adding more depth but wonders "who else they could've landed instead."
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