There's no way else to say it but to say it: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has been a massive disappointment.
I know it sounds harsh, but it's true. When the Vikings selected Patterson in the first-round of the 2013 draft, they thought they were getting a versatile No. 1 wide receiver. Towards the end of his rookie year, he seemed to be living up to that expectation as he finished with a flurry of touchdowns from all over the field. But 2014 saw a dramatic drop in production and he was eventually replaced in the starting lineup by free agent pickup Charles Johnson.
For the sake of second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's development, Minnesota desperately wants Patterson to become a difference maker. So far through offseason workouts, Patterson has shown that he is up for the challenge.
"He's done really well," head coach Mike Zimmer said. "He's running routes good; he's working hard. So we just need him to continue to do those things and continue to keep getting consistent and keep improving. I've been impressed with the things that he's done."
Everyone knows that young QBs need weapons around them to alleviate some of the pressure. Guys like Derek Carr in Oakland may survive despite a lack of offensive talent, but that is the exception, not the rule. Bridgewater is a franchise quarterback in the making and that process could be expedited if Patterson finally breaks out in 2015.
Patterson had turned to veteran wide receiver Greg Jennings for guidance after his disappointing 33 catch, 384 yard season in 2014. Unfortunately, Jennings was released this offseason and the Vikings traded for Mike Wallace.
"Hopefully, (offensive coordinator Norv Turner) is his mentor and I'm his mentor," Zimmer said. "Sometimes that's way overrated, guys mentoring other guys."
Let's hope for the sake of Minnesota's offense and Bridgewater's improvement that Zimmer is right.
