Cordarrelle Patterson signed a two-year deal with the Oakland Raiders late Monday night.
He’s the seventh player from last season’s roster to depart via free agency. The others:
- Captain Munnerlyn to Carolina
- Rhett Ellison to the Giants
- Audie Cole to Jacksonville
- Matt Kalil to Carolina
- Charles Johnson to Carolina
- Jeff Locke to Indianapolis
Patterson, a two-time All-Pro kick returner, never developed into a consistent threat in the passing game, although he bounced back from a benching in 2015 to 52 receptions for 453 yards and two touchdowns in 2016.
In Oakland, he’ll get the opportunity to play in one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses, led by quarterback Derek Carr.
@ceeflashpee84 welcome to #RaiderNation bro! 💀💀💀💀 now let's work!
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) March 14, 2017
With Patterson gone, the Vikings’ receiving corp is highlighted by Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Laquon Treadwell and Jarius Wright, along with practice squad players Isaac Fruechte, Mortiz Bohringer and Cayleb Jones.
Clearly, they’re not in a great position, especially considering Treadwell couldn’t find the field as a first-round pick last season. On top of that, Thielen is a restricted free agent. If he signs with another team the Vikings will receive that team’s second-round pick.
Minnesota can still upgrade through free agency, although the highest profile players are already gone. Michael Floyd and Kamar Aiken are the two highest-rated receivers still available, according to Walter Football.
