One of this era’s best kick returners, Cordarrelle Patterson has not made as much of an impact on offense. But teams have used the former Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver prospect in a pass-catching role throughout his career. That looks to change ahead of Patterson’s ninth season.
The Falcons plan to use Patterson at running back, with Scott Bair of AtlantaFalcons.com indicating this will be a true position switch. Patterson has logged notable time in backfields in recent years, and Arthur Smith will be keen on using the 6-foot-2, 227-pound weapon in a run-game role.
Patterson signed a one-year, $3MM deal with the Falcons this offseason. Although the team did add recent Panthers backup/Christian McCaffrey injury replacement Mike Davis, it did not add a running back in the draft. Javian Hawkins signed as a UDFA. This points to Patterson being given a true opportunity to work in tandem with Davis, who signed a two-year deal worth $5.5MM. The top three Falcon backs from 2020 — Todd Gurley, Ito Smith, Brian Hill — are no longer on the team.
The Bears gave Patterson a career-high 64 carries last season, doing so after the Patriots gave him 42 in 2018. Former Bears quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone is now onboard as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator. Patterson, 30, averaged 4.1 yards per carry in his two Chicago seasons. Both of those slates ended in first-team All-Pro kick returner selections — the third and fourth of Patterson’s illustrious return career.
While Patterson did not work out as a wideout in Minnesota, he has proven dangerous as a gadget player as a pro. The former first-round pick has 2,087 career receiving yards and 10 aerial TDs. It will be interesting to see how much running back work the Falcons give the elite return man, but a role as a Davis committee partner appears in his future.
Patterson has always seems to be on the fringe as a talent. He may be a breakout in the backfield? Just never know until you try.
Jack Del Rio/Dowing tried this in Oakland, and Patterson seemed to be a better fit as a safety outlet swing pass weapon. New England tried to expand on this using Cordarrelle in the slot but the production dropped as the year went on.
But hey, maybe Smith and Ragone have the key to unlock Cordarrelle true potential.
Next up – Matt Ryan, linebacker…
It’s not like he’s going to be an every down back. Sure it’ll work with him as pass catching back and change of pace.
It’s just crazy to me to think Bell and Gurley are viewed as less of talent then Patterson by the falcons
Maybe on talent alone, sure. But salary demands, attitude, familiarity with the offense, and a whole slew of other factors go into roster construction.
He’s been a rb the last two years in Chicago. This shouldn’t be breaking news.
My first thought. It would be bigger news if they said they planned to use him primarily as a receiver at this point…
Agreed. He was definitely used as an RB and rarely as a true WR. I kind of thought the Falcons were going this route when they signed him, as he would have been the 6th or 7th option if playing a true WR role.
Probably not a bad thing to try, but my only thought was that they could have kept Hill for the same amount or less and he has been solid for them despite limited chances over the years.