The Broncos have depth at the skill positions and are attempting to trade from it ahead of Tuesday’s roster cutdown deadline.
Denver is exploring trade conversations around both running back Samaje Perine and wide receiver Tim Patrick, sources told The Post on Monday afternoon.
Patrick is the bigger surprise of the two. He returned after missing the past two seasons to injuries and had a solid training camp, showing a budding connection with rookie quarterback Bo Nix and a penchant for getting open in the middle of the field. Earlier in the spring, he took a pay cut down to the veteran minimum in order to help lower his salary cap number.
Still, the competition has been stiff at receiver all of camp. The Broncos have Courtland Sutton at the top of the room and have seen seventh-round rookie Devaughn Vele come on strong essentially since the first day of rookie minicamp in May.
That leaves Denver with a pinch at the position. Head coach Sean Payton said earlier this month that he thought the team had among the best depth at receiver that he could remember on a team of his and that tough decisions would have to be made.
As it happens, one of those tough decisions is Patrick. The former Utah standout missed the 2022 season due to a torn ACL and then last year due to a torn Achilles tendon.
Perine, meanwhile, has looked like a potential odd man out for weeks in Broncos camp. Denver has seen Javonte Williams round into form and Jaleel McLaughlin build off a promising rookie season and also drafted Audric Estime out of Notre Dame in the fifth round.
While none of them has proven at the NFL level to be the kind of reliable third-down or two-minute back Perine was last year, it’s clear Denver has confidence the trio can handle those duties and more.
This story will be updated.
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