Cordarrelle Patterson has been guaranteed a spot on the 2015 roster for the Minnesota Vikings, but not much else. The former first-round pick has yet to find any consistency in the NFL which has hurt his status on the team. While Patterson was expected to be the next-best downfield threat for the Vikings, he has since found himself benched and being the cause of frustration to the coaching staff. However, head coach Mike Zimmer is liking what he sees from Patterson so far this offseason which could help his 2015 campaign.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Patterson has been improving in what he calls a make-or-break year and Zimmer is noticing. The Vikings went out and traded for Mike Wallace as an insurance plan for Patterson, but the third-year pro is looking like a much better receiver than in years past.
"Cordarrelle is doing a good job in this offseason," Zimmer said, via the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "He has been in better shape coming in, and he is doing a better job of running routes, of competing each and every down. I look forward to him coming on and I'm a big fan of his. We're just trying to get him to realize all the little intricacies you have to do offensively in the NFL in order to be a great player."
Zimmer has denied any idea that the Vikings are looking to trade Patterson to the highest bidder. However, the trade rumors cannot be ignored. The receiver is working on thin ice and must improve. The question is whether or not he is a starter. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has told the media he and Wallace quickly bonded while Charles Johnson has made the leap to a No. 1 option. That leaves Patterson battling for time on the field.
According to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com, Wallace and Johnson occupy the top two spots on the depth chart. Jarius Wright will likely come in third. He is coming off a career-high season and has shown he can be a slot receiver or go out wide. That leaves Patterson competing with rookie Stefon Diggs out of Maryland for a rotational spot. Diggs earned the reputation of being an elite route runner along with having big-play abilities. If he catches on to the offense quickly, the rookie could win out.