I am obsessed with Cordarelle Patterson's potential

I was a huge fan of Cordarelle Patterson when the Vikings made him a first round pick way back in 2013. It seemed like his career never got off the ground in Minnesota despite flashes of his playmaking ability as a return man and receiver. During his time in Minnesota he caught 129 total passes, for 1,263 yards, and 7 tds, adding 31 carries for 333 yards, and 4 tds, while also serving as a return man with 134 kick returns for 4,075 yards, and 5 tds as well as 1 punt return for 9 yards. His 4th year in Minnesota he started playing as a gunner on special teams racking up 6 tackles. Since his first four years in Minnesota, Patterson has played for the Raiders, and Patriots for 1 year a piece then spent the last 2 seasons in Chicago. However it was his 1 year in New England that changed his career for good. 

In 2018 the Patriots signed Patterson to be their 3rd receiver, kick returner, and use him on the occasional jet sweep. However due to injuries the 6'2 227 lb receiver had to actually start at running back for the team. Now as I stated before at this point Patterson had 31 carries for 333 yards and 4 tds averaging over 10 yards per carry in Minnesota, his time in Oakland netted him 13 more carries for 121 yards, and 2 more tds. Leaving him with 44 carries, 454 yards, and 6 tds in 5 years as a wide receiver. The Patriots in a pinch turn to this receiver built like a running back and ask if he will play as a full time running back during this period of injuries. Patterson being like most NFL players just wants to get the ball so of course he agrees. This would result in career highs for carries and yardage with 42 carries, 228 yards and 1 td. He also tacked on 21 receptions, 247 yards, and 3 tds, 23 kick returns for 663 yards and 1 more td. Adding 6 more tackles over the '17 and '18 seasons. At this point it is becoming clear to teams that Patterson is a guy who can line up as a RB and actually create more mismatches as a receiver out of the backfield catching more one on one matchups with linebackers and safeties. It also showcased his abilities once he got the ball in his hand. 

After his single season with the Patriots he decided Matt Nagy and the Bears gave him the best opportunity to see the field. In 2019 it seemed to me they were still figuring out how to use him with the most success. He caught just 11 passes for 83 yards, and no tds, adding 17 carries for 103 yards no tds, 28 returns for 825 yards, and 1 td and another 6 tackle season. However in 2020 it was announced the Bears were moving Patterson to RB fulltime. 

Patterson always the team player, got to display his versatility more than ever before. He racked up 64 carries, 232 yards, and 1 td, 21 receptions for 132 yards, 0 tds, 35 kick returns for 1,017 yards and 1 td as well as 4 tackles. He had officially made the transition to RB but what makes it so fascinating is he now hits free agency, having come off of his lowest 2 year stretch for receptions, yards, and tds, while racking up his highest 2 year stretch of carries, and yards. He is still a dynamic return man with 3 1,000+ yard seasons, 8 return tds, and returns of 109, 104, 104, 102, 101, and 95 yards. Which will make it very interesting how he is valued, the now 30 year old wide receiver turned running back could start to be seen as too old to continue at RB fulltime as he moves into his age 30 season resulting in a more receiver centric role, or teams could simply keep using him as a jack of all trades. Regardless I think the bust label was left in the past, in 8 years this man has played in 127 games producing 216 receptions for 2,087 yards and 10 tds, 167 carries for 1,017 yards, and 8 tds, 1 punt return for 9 yards, 239 kick returns for 7,118 yards, and 8 tds, and last but not least 22 tackles. He can play in almost every facet of offensive football, or special teams. Shoot I'm half convinced he could play safety and linebacker if he was asked to. Patterson is simply one of those unique athletes who could have gone pro in multiple ways, and probably multiple sports given his high school career where he ran track, played football and basketball. However I for one am glad he wound up in the NFL, he is already regarded as one of the best return specialists in history having tied the record for kick return tds last season at 8. 

Looking around the league I see several options for teams that could be interested in a player like him. This might surprise some people but I believe the Giants might be his best option. At 6'2 228 lbs Patterson is a much less polished but a similar dual threat player to Saquan Barkley. When Barkley went down last year a combination of guys filled in including Wayne Gallman, Devonta Freeman, Dion Lewis, and Alfred Morris. Heading into 2021 all 4 of these men are unrestricted free agents. On top of that fact Dion Lewis was the primary kick returner averaging 22.4 yards per return on 24 attempts versus Patterson's 29.1 on 35 attempts. Patterson could be the perfect player for the Giants to add to their backfield although I'm a firm believer it's in their best interests to resign Wayne Gallman as well. A backfield of Barkley, Gallman, and Patterson would be a drastic improvement over what they experienced last season. On top of that Joe Judge, his former special teams coordinator in New England is also the new head coach for the Giants. 

I also think there is a strong chance he returns to the Bears in 2021. They were the team that believed in him enough to use him more than anyone else had before. He handled the ball 120 times last year for 1,381 yards and 2 tds. I think if he were to return again he could expect to see a larger role. If he continues to line up as a running back his value in the screen game could be of huge interest next season. Nagy obviously sees Patterson as an offensive weapon and likely could not find a better return man in the draft or free agency so why not retain a guy who helped keep your backfield afloat after the Tarik Cohen injury. 

The Kansas City Chiefs have key free agents in 2021 with LeVeon Bell, Sammy Watkins, DeMarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle, and Anthony Sherman all headed toward unrestricted free agency. Also Daryl William's is a restricted free agent, as well as TE Deon Yelder. That adds up to a lot of depth pieces and a couple starting quality players that played big roles at times. I do not expect Watkins or Bell back, which leaves an opening for Patterson to sign with the Chiefs. Bringing Patterson on, could be a good thing in two ways. The Chiefs like versatile running backs. Edwards-Hellaire is the starter after being drafted in the first round due to his dual threat ability, Bell and Willians were both adequate receivers from the backfield last season but Patterson topped both their totals in receptions last year. He also had more carries than both players. Also the Chiefs have begun to shy away from using Tyreek Hill in the return game. With Pringle a free agent, as well as the added offensive workload headed to Mecole Hardman, and DeMarcus Robinson if Watkins leaves Patterson could come in, add another dynamic to a well rounded team, add another offensive weapon for the great Andy Reid to find ways to use, while serving as depth at running back, and serving as the 4th receiver. 

Something tells me he will be on a roster for at least 3 more seasons serving in a similar role adding depth at wide receiver, and running back while serving as the primary return man. Here is to hoping he breaks the 8 td record in 2021.