Spruce Derden-US Presswire
According to The Sideline View’s Lance Zierlein, former University of Tennessee wide-receiver Cordarrelle Patterson is dropping on NFL teams’ draft boards. Patterson was considered the top wide-receiver prospect in the NFL Draft, but Zierlein believes poor combine interviews have hurt his stock.
News like this should excite Cincinnati Bengals fans. The team needs another playmaker and if Patterson is available at No. 21 when the Bengals are on the clock, they should consider drafting him.
He’s shown a rare combination of size, speed and playmaking ability. Patterson is a big, strong receiver who can stretch the field. He has the ability to turn a 5-yard slant into an 80-yard touchdown.
Not many Bengals players have the ability to make big plays after the catch. Andrew Hawkins does most of his damage after a reception, but the Bengals don’t have an outside receiver with the same capability.
Patterson is a physical specimen at 6’2”, 216 pounds. He proved to be one of the best wide receivers in the country during his one season at Tennessee. He caught 46 passes for 778 yards and five touchdowns. He was also a threat on the ground tallying 208 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries.
Patterson excelled on special teams. The junior compiled 671 yards and a touchdown in 25 kick returns. He set an SEC single-season record with a combined kickoff and punt return average of 27.6 yards, while also setting a school record of 1,858 all-purpose yards.
The Bengals need another playmaker and Patterson would fit well. He can return punts and kickoffs, stretch the field and would help quarterback Andy Dalton develop. The Atlanta Falcons spent a lot on Julio Jones just two years ago despite having superstar wide receiver Roddy White. It may be time for the Bengals to spend a first-round draft pick to ensure there is a playmaker on the opposite side of A.J. Green.
Who knows if Patterson will be available when the Bengals make their first round pick. If he is, the Bengals could land one of the top players in this years’ NFL Draft.
