Cordarrelle Patterson continues to prove he was well-worth the first-round draft pick the Minnesota Vikings used to get him. The former Tennessee wide receiver is having a breakout rookie season, leaving many to believe he is the front-runner for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season. The Minnesota Vikings have had very few bright spots this year, but Patterson is one of them and his spotlight is only getting better.
"It's not my thing to tell people to vote for me, but at the end of the day, they should vote for me because I'm the best rookie out there," Patterson said, via the Minnesota Star Tribune. "I got the best smile, I'm the handsomest rookie, I do things the right way. But, for real, I'd like to win it. It would be amazing. But I really don't know where I stand because I've seen a lot of great rookies."
Despite the Vikings' 3-9-1 record and struggling display of quarterback play, Patterson has improved each week with the team. Patterson has 35 catches for 395 yards and two touchdowns. While those numbers might not jump off the pages, considering both Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel have thrown him the ball this year makes him seem more impressive on second glance. There is also those 1,199 yards put up off kickoff returns and the two he has returned for touchdowns. His 109 return alone should earn him enough praise.
"Cordarrelle has to be mentioned in the conversation when you talk about rookie of the year," Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. "He's really coming on strong. And his best football is still ahead of him, even this season."
Patterson becomes even more valuable in Week 15. Running back Adrian Peterson is expected to sit out the matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles after injuring his foot the previous Sunday. That will take out a major fold of the Vikings offense, putting more pressure on Patterson and Greg Jennings to deliver through the air. Toby Gerhart will likely get the start at running back. While the young back can certainly handle the increased work load, Patterson will be the more crucial player on the field.
