Minnesota Vikings Cordarrelle Patterson Named All-Pro Kick Returner

This is probably going to be the best week ever for Minnesota Vikings kick returner/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Not only is he going to the Pro Bowl as a rookie, he’s also a first-team All-Pro.

Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The kick returner claimed the spot on the Associated Press’ All-Pro team after getting the second-highest kickoff return average since the NFL-AFL merger and becoming the only kick returner to run back two kickoffs for touchdowns. And he was the only rookie named to the top All-Pro team.

Patterson probably would have gone to the Pro Bowl when rosters were announced if the game hadn’t curtailed kickoffs, but he’ll play in it anyway as an injury replacement for Steelers punt returner Antonio Brown, the Vikings announced Friday morning.

The fact that Patterson is getting so much attention in the early returns of postseason awards gives hope and shows the strong chances to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year awards. Though the fact that he did his best work on special teams might make it difficult for him to win the award over someone like San Diego’s Keenan Allen, Green Bay’s Eddie Lacy or Cincinnati’s Gio Bernard. But Patterson’s versatility certainly has brought him plenty of recognition.

The only other Viking to be named All-Pro is running back Adrian Peterson. He landed on the second team with Lacy. The Packers and Detroit Lions also had two All-Pros apiece, while the Chicago Bears had none.