With The First Pick
Fansided

Oakland Raiders Make an Underestimated Move

By Carl Cockerham

Dec 6, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) returns a kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks for a 101 yard touchdown in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Seahawks won 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) returns a kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks for a 101 yard touchdown in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Seahawks won 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland Raiders have been pretty quiet this offseason. But the signing of WR Cordarrelle Patterson is a bigger signing than many think.

The Oakland Raiders have put their team together now so there’s no real need to spend big in free agency. QB Derek Carr’s contract will be done pretty soon and Khalil Mack is soon to follow. So GM Reggie McKenzie will keep the players he can and continue to build through the draft.

That’s what he does!

Raider Nation had all the ideas in the world about the big names out there the team would sign. None of them came into fruition but I’m telling you now that’s not a bad thing. The Raiders signed Marshall Newhouse to bring competition and depth at right OT.

Then Monday night, they signed WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson to add speed to the team. Many don’t see this signing as a big deal but what Patterson brings will help the Raiders. First and foremost, don’t go use the bathroom when Patterson is up to return.

He can take one to the house at anytime and from anywhere on the field. And as a WR, the 2013 first-round pick has more talent than he’s been able to show in four years in the NFL. No, he’s no Julio Jones but the Minnesota Vikings couldn’t use him right.

Patterson has blazing speed but averages only 10 yards per catch for his career and 8.7 in 2016. That isn’t his fault as he Teddy Bridgewater isn’t a guy that throws the ball down the field well. Then when Sam Bradford went to the Vikings the O-line couldn’t protect long enough.

His average target was only 2.4 yards down the field through the air. Put him with Derek Carr and the offensive line the Raiders have and that will surely change in 2017. He’ll be a good WR3 as he has more much reliable hands than Seth Roberts with only 2 drops in 70 targets.

At 6’2″, 216 pounds, fast and with good hops, we should expect to see Patterson line up outside. This will allow Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to line up in the slot more. Patterson will run his man and the S off while Cooper and-or Crabtree do damage underneath.

And if the S decides to squat on Coop or Crab, that’s an easy TD for Patterson.

The Raiders offense will be unstoppable!

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