Minnesota Vikings Cordarrelle Patterson’s Rookie of the Year Bid

When the Minnesota Vikings started the season with Cordarrelle Patterson not among their top receivers, many fans were left baffled as to why? But that also left his chances of winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year slim to none. Lucky for us that lasted for about a week when Patterson ran a kickoff back for a team-record 105-yard touchdown.

Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) against the Chicago Bears at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

That alone was Rookie of the Year Material— for me anyways.

Then he did it again. It was in week six against the Green Bay Packers he ran another kickoff but this time it was for 109 yards, which is an NFL Record. He has also scored on a 33 yard handoff and a 79 yard screening pass.

Patterson is second in the NFL in all-purpose yards and is the only rookie ranking in the top-14 in 2013. He also was named Special Teams Player of the Month for September.

Still don’t believe me? According to Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune Patterson–

• Leads the NFL in kickoff return average (33.3). Second-best is 30.6. No other rookie leads the league in any major statistical category.
• Is one of only two rookies, along with Rams receiver Tavon Austin, to score three different ways this season. Patterson has two touchdowns on kick returns, two on receptions and one on a 33-yard run from the tailback position.
• Ranks No. 2 in the league in all-purpose yardage. With 1,629 yards (1,199 returning, 395 receiving, 35 rushing), Patterson trails Eagles running back LeSean McCoy by only 115 yards heading into Sunday’s matchup.

“Cordarrelle has to be mentioned in the conversation when you talk about rookie of the year,” Vikings Coach Leslie Frazier said in Craig’s story. “He’s really coming on strong. And his best football is still ahead of him, even this season.”

The numbers are there. But if you don’t believe there’s one more stat that should get your attention—

He recorded a team season-high 141 receiving yards against the Baltimore Ravens and that included a team season-long 79-yard TD. The 141 receiving yards are the most by a Vikings rookie since the first #84 Randy Moss did it at Dallas with 163 yards on November 11^th, 1998.

Looks like he’s living up to the number a little, but I digress.

The last Vikings rookie to win ROY was Percy Harvin in 2009, and Patterson’s versatility has is similar to what Harvin did during his four years with the Vikings. But it won’t be an easy fight– he’d have to beat out San Diego’s Keenan Allen — who scored two touchdowns on Thursday night — and Green Bay’s Eddie Lacy. And as good as they are there might not be another rookie as charismatic as Patterson. And that is what could ultimately win him this award.

Want to see Cordarrelle Patterson doing what he does best? Head on vikings.com to see some of Patterson’s highlights.