Lions WR Tim Patrick says he was almost traded before landing in Detroit

The Detroit Lions scoured the free-agent market for help at the wide receiver position after the team only carried four on its initial 53-man roster following a lackluster offseason for the team's depth options.

The Lions ultimately signed four to their practice squad in Allen Robinson, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tom Kennedy and Tim Patrick, who was no doubt a popular choice among fans for the team to bring in.

But as Patrick revealed to the Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett, he almost didn't end up in Detroit because the Denver Broncos nearly pulled off a trade with the New Orleans Saints .

"Interesting from new Lions WR Tim Patrick, he said the Broncos told him they were trying to work out a trade with the Saints when they decided to release him after the preseason," Birkett wrote on Thursday . "The 2 sides couldn't come to terms, and Patrick decided to sign with the Lions practice squad."

It remains to be seen if the Lions will deploy one of their newest receivers in Week 1. Patrick says he's still learning the playbook and getting a feel for how the team does things, which he admitted makes him feel like he isn't "a Detroit Lions yet."

"It's an opportunity if you can understand the playbook and you're the guy we think you are, you'll get the opportunity," he said, per Sports Illustrated's John Maakaron . "Nothing's gonna be handed. (I'm) still learning the playbook, still learning the way they do things here. I'm signed to the Detroit Lions, but I don't feel like a Detroit Lion yet because they do things different over here."

Assuming they don't promote him to the active roster, Patrick will have to be elevated from the practice squad to play in the season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. We'll know where he stands by Saturday.