New England Patriots: The case for re-signing Cordarrelle Patterson
The New England Patriots have a number of free agents hitting the market in 2019 and one of them is wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.
When the New England Patriots traded for Cordarrelle Patterson prior to the 2018 NFL season, Bill Belichick promised the dangerous kickoff returner that the team would make him the player he is meant to be.
The former first-round pick didn’t suddenly turn into a top-level wide receiver for the Patriots in 2019, but he became a player who could do multiple things in an offense that took advantage of his versatility and speed.
Nicknamed “The Experiment” by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Patterson was not only a depth receiver for the team throughout the season, he took reps at the running back position as well.
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With 21 receptions for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns receiving, Patterson pretty much hit expectations as a receiver. Rushing the ball is where he exceeded with 228 yards on 42 carries and a touchdown. Most of that production came during a stretch of the season when the team was short in the backfield.
In all, his willingness and ability to do whatever the team needed him to do made him the ultimate New England Patriots player in 2018. By morphing himself into more of a hybrid playmaker, Cordarrelle Patterson may have increased his value around the league.
The case for re-signing
In all, Cordarrelle Patterson showed an ability to do multiple things in a Josh McDaniels’ system. Not only could he catch the occasional long pass, his speed and size was utilized rushing the ball and running those jet sweep plays McDaniels loves in short yardage situations.
Along with being a dangerous kickoff returner, Patterson gives the offense a versatility on the field that could be further utilized if the team does find a legit No. 1 receiver to go with Julian Edelman. At the right price, Patterson could and should return as a No. 4 receiver due to his playmaking skills and what he can do in the kick return game.
The only way the New England Patriots don’t bring him back is if some team offers him more than the team thinks he is worth. No matter how highly the team thinks of Patterson, they simply won’t overpay for his services.
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Potential landing spots
Most NFL teams will take a look at Cordarrelle Patterson as a kickoff returner, but no team will overpay for him as a playmaker on the field.
With the New England Patriots as the most likely team to bring him back, a team like the Los Angeles Rams could find a way to utilize Patterson in multiple ways. Sean McVay would certainly draw up plays to take advantage of his speed and versatility.
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Staying in the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins are a team that may show some interest. With former Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores as the head coach, expect some of the team’s free agents to journey there. Patterson could be one of those players depending on what the Dolphins do at the quarterback position.