The Curious Case of Cordarrelle Patterson
What’s Next For Patterson?
Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) rushes against New York Jets cornerback Phillip Adams (24) for 6 yards in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
I think it is going to be very difficult for Cordarrelle Patterson to become a superstar wide receiver in the traditional sense. That does not mean he cannot be a major play maker in the years to come.
If he is willing to put in the work, I believe he can become a very good receiver. He certainly has all of the physical tools, so if he can improve his route running and ball skills, he can do a lot of good for the Vikings in the coming years. Still, I think that the best receivers have innate abilities that cannot be taught. Some are just better at knowing how to get open naturally, which is not something Patterson has proven to be able to do. Though I have no doubt he will get better, I think that will always be something that makes reaching the highest pinnacle of the position difficult for Cordarrelle.
I do, however, believe he can be a superstar overall. He had some hamstring issues during the season, and seemed to lack the burst we became accustomed to, other than his fantastic touchdown run Week 1 against St. Louis. There were complaints that he did not get enough carries this season after the Rams game, but I think it was because it was too predictable. He needs to improve as a receiver to throw teams off of the scent of the run, which will help open that element back up. I expect him to do that, and expect Patterson to be much improved in 2015.