3. Cordarelle Patterson
He may never live up to his first-round hype. However, for the first time, people are going to understand why Patterson went in the first round. We know he is electric with the ball. Patterson is an elite return man who has size, speed, power, and vision.
However, as a wide receiver, releasing off of the line, running crisp routes, and tracking the ball down the field have been issues.
From the Vikings to the Patriots to the Bears these teams have slowly started to figure him out.
Matt Nagy seems to have the solution. Nagy has called him a “trojan” to signify that he is not a receiver, but certainly not a running back either. He can motion into the backfield and take a carry to the house, sure.
He can catch a screen and take it to the house, sure. He is versatile and he is a trojan.
Nagy has kept Patterson under wraps all preseason. He benched him with the starters and word has come out that he has a grand plan, but how much, how often and in what way have not been discussed.
Call me optimistic but something says Nagy will use him to the best of his abilities. All of a sudden Patterson will be a player who is fantasy relevant as he approaches career highs in rushing and receiving.