Raiders add speedster Patterson to boost return game

In the passing game, Patterson could give Derek Carr another weapon to use. Patterson himself tried to convince Vikings general manager Rick Spielman to re-sign him by posting a series of messages on his Snapchat account.

His career in Minnesota saw him make two Pro Bowls in four years, but both were as a return specialist, not a first-round wide receiver.

Though partly due to his own inability to quickly develop as a route runner, Patterson never lived up to his potential with the Vikings.

“He knows what I bring to the table, but he also knows that I’ve grown as a player since then”, he said.

That said, Patterson said over the weekend that he hoped to stay in Minnesota, even after visiting the Redskins and Bears.

In the end, though, it didn’t work out in Minnesota.

Among the 56 wide receivers to see between 25 and 75 targets past year, Patterson’s Reception Net Expected Points per target was 13th-lowest. The veteran coach, who has a stubborn streak as long as his resume, basically banished Patterson from the offense for two full seasons. The Raiders last returned a kick for a touchdown in 2011, when Jacoby Ford did it against Cleveland. He also has a incredible 30.4 yards per return average for his career. His 8.7 yards per catch were the fewest for any qualifying wide receiver last season.

With Patterson leaving, the Vikings now have Stefon Diggs and Laquon Treadwell, with Adam Thielen still not signed. The Vikings have yet to sign one of their own free agents.

Those number far eclipse anything the Raiders were able to do in the return game last season.

Terms of the contract were not released. However, Patterson lost his starting job at receiver midway through the 2014 season and barely played from scrimmage in 2015.

In 2014, Norv Turner arrived and Patterson’s role began to diminish. He also holds the record for the longest return TD in National Football League history in his rookie year, going for 109 yards against the Green Bay Packers.