Minnesota Vikings rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson caught two passes for 26 yards in a 44-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 8. Patterson started the game with a bang, returning the opening kick off for an NFL record tying 109-yard touchdown.
Cordarrelle Patterson starts with a bang, gives fantasy owners food for thought
The Vikings rookie wide receiver demonstrated his speed early against the Packers. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Fantasy impact: Coming into this season, Patterson had been a popular sleeper pick in fantasy leagues. The Vikings were really impressed with the speed in the preseason and envisioned him as a raw talent that could replace the Percy Harvin, who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason.
Although he has had a handful of big highlights in the return game this year, it seems like he still has a lot to learn. Fantasy owners can’t really blame Patterson though, as the Vikings’ struggles at the quarterback position this season have been well documented.
Given that teammates Greg Jennings and Jerome Simpson have also had a tough time in 2013 and the Vikings are far from playoff bound, it is possible that Patterson will be a second-half surprise in fantasy leagues. One or two more losses will probably lead the Vikings to start evaluating their roster for 2014, which could mean a spike in opportunities and output for Patterson.
