On Monday 13th March the Raiders finally made themselves involved in free agency by signing ex-Vikings wide receiver and kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson to a 2-year $8.5million contract. The signing was a bit of a shock due to their being few links between the player and Oakland, but one thing is for sure; this gives the Raiders a very different and new dynamic on offense and makes them dangerous from every kick-off.
Patterson has excelled as a kick returner since he came into the league, earning All-Pro honours last season at the special teams position (note: for those counting, that’s three first team all-pro players on the Raiders roster). The Raiders know all too well the threat this guy poses after he returned a kick for a touchdown against them in 2015. His receiving skills on the other hand have been questioned, and it will be interesting to see how he is incorporated into the aerial attack that was clicking on all cylinders last season.
The speedy playmaker may remind fans and players alike of Al Davis’ old philosophy that speed kills all else, so let’s just hope he brings the ‘Just win baby!’ with him as well.
Cordarrelle Patterson Stats
| Year | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| Receptions | 52 | 2 | 33 |
| Receiving Yards | 453yds | 10yds | 384yds |
| Yards per Catch | 8.7 | 5.0 | 11.6 |
| Touchdowns | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Kickoff returns | 25 | 32 | 34 |
| Return Average | 31.7yds | 31.8yds | 25.6yds |
| Touchdowns | 1 | 2 | 0 |