Anyone think C. Patterson will NOT be returning kicks and punts?

[vrabinec 19]

I'm thinking that at some point, Norv says he's strictly a WR.

[Vikings4ever 496]

Well, he doesn't return punts in the first place.

 

As for kickoffs, we'll see. It's hard to see them sitting the best kick returner in the league last year, but I could see the duties being split, especially if someone like Jerick McKinnon can do it effectively.

[tanatastic 2,061]

I think they need to keep him on KR and avoid the Devin Hester type situation. CPat is prob a better wr than Hester, but still id keep him returning kicks.

[vrabinec 19]

Hmm, that's odd. I thought they had field a punt every now and then. I thought I remembered him calling for a fair catch in a Philly game, but he's got no punt return stats, so I must've been hallucinating.

[Vikings4ever 496]

I think they need to keep him on KR and avoid the Devin Hester type situation. CPat is prob a better wr than Hester, but still id keep him returning kicks.

The two are completely different players.

 

Hester is a 5'11, 190 pounds quick mofo. Patterson is 6'2, 220 pounds, whose biggest knock coming out of college was that he was VERY raw.

 

Considering the leaps and bounds he made in his rookie season, I have no doubt he'll be a better receiver than Hester.

[Vikings4ever 496]

Hmm, that's odd. I thought they had field a punt every now and then. I thought I remembered him calling for a fair catch in a Philly game, but he's got no punt return stats, so I must've been hallucinating.

That was the only time he was back to return a punt. As I recall, the punt returner for the Vikings was banged up prior to that.

[IGotWorms 3,311]

He will still return because he's not a good enough receiver yet and you gotta get the ball in his hands somehow

[WhiteWonder 2,171]

I think they need to keep him on KR and avoid the Devin Hester type situation. CPat is prob a better wr than Hester, but still id keep him returning kicks.

 

was this a serious post?

 

considering Hester was drafted as a corner with the intent of being a return specialist... id say Patterson is leaps and bounds the better receiver. Hesters career was a WR was an afterthought. They tried to manufacture it and it never quite worked out.

 

Patterson returning kicks reminds me a little more of guys like Cobb, antonio Brown, Percy Harvin and Dez Bryant. Guys who were drafted with the intention of being good or great receivers who also have/had something to offer in the return game initially.

[weepaws 2,459]

I'm thinking that at some point, Norv says he's strictly a WR.

Yeah i still do think he will do some work in the kick return game

[GreenTD 56]

I think you'll see a platoon of Jarius Wright/Josh Robinson & Jerick McKinnon returning kicks this year for the Vikes.

[Upper Class Trash 67]

If he isn't returning kicks, what sort of grade would you put on Patterson in a redraft, what round? In most of mine, he's off the board in the third and going between the 8th and 12th overall WR slots. Those are some seriously lofty expectations unless you are getting kickoff returns yards in your scoring format. In my dynasty leagues, I have traded for him without giving up too much, but he isn't nearly as risky in a dynasty as a redraft this year.

 

And to think.... My St. Louis Rams could have taken Patterson and not traded up for Austin. The humorous part is we didn't want Patterson because Fisher said he was "too raw" to help the team immediately. So.... We drafted a WR shorter than R2D2, traded up for him (giving up a 2nd round pick in the process) and learned he was just as raw. I can't imagine why our offense sucks. Good thing Austin came in and made all those difficult catches over the middle. Oh wait.....

[weepaws 2,459]

If Bradford can stay on the field would help and I think K Britt could help Auston a lot

[JT 137]

I think Patterson is going to be too big a part of what they do offensively to risk him on kick returns.

[weepaws 2,459]

I think he will do some work on the kick return team.

[420allstars 13]

In my dynasty leagues, I have traded for him without giving up too much,

 

 

I have not seen him go for cheap in any Dynasty leagues in a LONG time..IMO people are overpaying for his potential..

[Djgb13 2,338]

From all reports Patterson is gonna be an elite receiver this year. Definitely targeting him in my leagues but I dont want to overpay for him.

[weepaws 2,459]

Last time I checked the Vikings still have a problem at the QB position . I like Patterson great upside great talent. But will there be enough targets with Rudolph being back after only playing 8 games and with the other WR and still even with capt norv coaching with the team not sold on the QB position . So I think he is ranked a little to high right now for me .

[WhiteWonder 2,171]

Last time I checked the Vikings still have a problem at the QB position . I like Patterson great upside great talent. But will there be enough targets with Rudolph being back after only playing 8 games and with the other WR and still even with capt norv coaching with the team not sold on the QB position . So I think he is ranked a little to high right now for me .

QB is a potential concern but look at what norv and Josh Gordon had at QB last season... it's not going to make or break Pattersons fantasy value as much as his own improvement in year two will. All up to his improvement as a route runner, imo

[giraldi02 470]

Patterson's role in that offense until he perfects his route trees is going to be short passes near or behind the LOS and expectations of YAC.

 

The outdoors factor is going to be interesting as well. Everyone is faster in a dome and on turf...but from week 9 until week 14 the Vikings are exposed to the elements. The only road game in that stretch is at Chicago, but we have no idea what to expect come late November and early December.

 

If the Vikings are serious about having him as their prime option at wide out...kick off returns will be a thing of the past real quickly.

[JT 137]

If the Vikings are serious about having him as their prime option at wide out...kick off returns will be a thing of the past real quickly.

 

This. Kickoff returns in particular have become a very high risk/low reward item since they moved them to the 35. Opportunities to return are down significantly and the injury risk remains as high as ever. Reports I see say he's going to be an integral part of the offense that will utilize lots of quick passes, bubble screens and the like to get him in space. In an offense that has limited weapons to begin with, you don't risk losing him on a return.

[Frozenbeernuts 1,652]

I tried to trade for patterson. I offered my non dominant arm and leg. The owner of patterson came back with a request for at least one dominant appendage.

[kilroy69 994]

it is absolutly absurd for them to even be thinking of using him as a punt returner. THIS is why the vikes suck asss

[Vikings4ever 496]

it is absolutly absurd for them to even be thinking of using him as a punt returner. THIS is why the vikes suck asss

He returned 0 punts last year, and isn't expected to be back for any this year.

 

HTH.

[Matt Mueller 146]

As an aside did return punts in college or last year?

 

I heard an interview with Harvin where they asked him if he would ever want to be involved with them and he kind said 'yeah maybe....but you have to practice it. The angles of catching the ball are totally different than kicks offs and something you need to get some reps at.'