Cordarrelle Patterson is Ahead of Schedule in Minnesota
Alex Dunlap, Rosterwatch.com

Photo By Alex Dunlap, Rosterwatch.com

Vikings rookie WR Cordarrelle Patterson has come into the first preseason game of 2013 ahead of schedule development-wise.

RosterWatch has always been extremely high on Patterson. This was due mainly to his size, speed and elusiveness in the open field. There is no replacement for the suddenness and electric playmaking ability Patterson has proven himself capable of collegiately, albeit over a shorter sample period than most might be comfortable with. The main knock from draft experts regarding Patterson was his inexperience as a route-runner and the inevitable “ramp period” that would be necessary in Patterson’s adaptability to the NFL playbook.

If Patterson showed the NFL and fantasy worlds anything in his NFL preseason debut vs. the Houston Texans, it was that the ramp period would be shorter than anyone thought, and honestly, that he may have already jumped the thing entirely.

Patterson played less than one half of football, but managed to catch 4 balls on 7 targets for 54 yards. According to Pro Football Focus, Patterson also forced two missed tackles after catch, further showing off the elusive ability that was so clear in his college film.

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Patterson managed to put some of his special teams acumen on NFL film as well over the weekend, returning one kick for 50 yards. All in all, Patterson had one dropped ball in just under one half of play which served as the relative lowlight.

The highlight was the route-running ability Patterson showed off in the 104 total-yard affair. Everyone with a laptop and an interest in the NFL draft knew Patterson could come in and run a disgusting 9-route for any NFL team he suited up for. The problem for fantasy players was that Patterson was drafted by the Vikings who have Christian Ponder at QB, a player not known for putting on any sort of air raid, well, ever.

Patterson caught balls on out routes, vertical slants and digs in his debut, showing separation ability in the intermediate passing game that gave hopeful Vikings fans and fantasy owners alike visions of a possible Percy Harvin replacement right out of the box.

Patterson currently has an ADP of 12.12, basically one of the last players being taken in fantasy drafts before kickers and defenses. While we at RosterWatch are expecting Patterson’s stock to pick up in the time between preseason Week 1 and the start of the NFL regular season, we are advising owners to do what they can (and even reach a small bit if need be) to get Patterson on their rosters in early-drafting leagues.

Patterson can be had at WR5 pricing and has legitimate WR2 upside as early as 2013. If he’s there in Round 11, pull the trigger.