NEVER HEARD of WR Cordarrelle Patterson? Understandable. The ex-juco spent just one so-so year at Tennessee (46 catches, 778 yards, 5 TDs) before soaring up draft boards this spring because of his ridiculous physical gifts -- gifts that may not translate to the NFL. We asked an anonymous scout for an unfiltered look at the 6'2", 216-pound Patterson, then gathered feedback from other experts, including the former Vol himself. The consensus? There is no consensus.
The scout
Patterson is a wild card. He's talented, but he was at UT for only two semesters after leaving Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, so he's really raw as a person and as a player.1 I just don't know if he can pick up the schemes that you have to as a pro receiver. He was at a juco 2 for a reason. 3 He played some running back at UT, and he might be a running back at our level when it's all said and done. 4 He has a lot of natural skills, 5 but he has so much to learn about the nuances of the pro game. 6 He's got bust written all over him if he's drafted high. 7
1. Todd McShay, ESPN Draft Analyst
That's a good way to put it. He has never had to learn how to be a great receiver because he's been so much better athletically than everyone else.
2. KC Joyner, ESPN Insider
His juco footage on YouTube is sick, like watching Randy Moss at Marshall. He had a couple of plays where he cut across the field and into traffic, but his incredible speed allowed him to destroy the pursuit angles and bust loose.
3. Patterson
It's true that I didn't have to read coverages in juco; I just ran my routes. But I'm glad I went there. I had some academic problems in high school, and I wouldn't be where I am today without Hutchinson.
4. Sam Monson, Pro Football Focus
His ceiling is huge. Even if he isn't a polished receiver right away, worst-case scenario is that he can contribute some on day one, with added value as a kick-return threat.
5. Kyle Richardson, Northwestern (S.C.) High School Coash
He will be fine in the NFL, and it'll be at receiver. I coached [Rams TE] Jared Cook, who was the same kind of physical freak with some question marks. It'll work out with CP too.
6. Patterson
I know I have a lot to learn. I can get lazy in and out of breaks. Like on a curl, when I get to 12 yards, my arms sometimes stop moving and I have a hard time coming back to 10 yards. I've been working hard on keeping my hands active.
7. McShay
He's so raw. But every time I start to give up on him, there's a play that draws me back in. It's one or two things on every tape -- and he may disappear the rest of the game -- but those things just blow your mind.
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