Vikings trade back into Round one take WR Cordarrelle Patterson at 29 Overall

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (Tennessee) is introduced as the twenty ninth overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

GM Rick Spielman does it again.  The Vikings already had two 1st Round picks where they used them on Florida DT Sharrif Floyd and FSU CB Xavier Rhodes.  Like the end of the draft last year, the Vikings traded back into Round One and selected Tennessee WR Cordarrelle Patterson.

This pick I question.  The Vikings have multiple needs and while having three first round picks is great we have many holes to fill.  This leaves a gaping hole at Middle Linebacker and no draft pick in site to address.

The Vikings gave up their 2nd Round (52 overall), 3rd Round (83 Overall), 4th Round (pick they got via Detriot) and a seventh round pick. That is a king’s ransom for any player with so many holes.

Here is a scouting report on Patterson from Yahoo Sports:

"Pros Big, physical receiver who comes off the line with burst and authority. Will win physical battles that other receivers simply aren’t equipped to. Has a great frame for an ‘A’-level receiver — good musculature, strong upper body. Blocks well to help with run support — sporadically with his technique, but almost like a tight end at times. Runs straight-line routes with outstanding glide and gets up to top speed (which is very impressive for his size) in a hurry. Has a natural ability to move and cut in traffic that makes him a potential yards-after-catch nightmare for every defenses. Not afraid to grab the pass in traffic when he know he’s going to get hit. Drives upfield after the short and intermediate catch and uses his physical nature to bull through tackles. Plants and cuts well on drive routes (slants, in-cuts, drags).Can be a real factor in the return game, where his combination of size, speed, and agility really show up. Reads the action in front of him well and cuts decisively to get away from tacklers. Has that final gear to excel as a deep returner, as well as a deep seam and boundary receiver. Dynamic red zone target who understands how to get his body in front of defenders quickly in short spaces. Has the physical characteristics to play the “X” spot as the isolated receiver, but may really shine as a “Z” at the next level, where he can take coverage off the top and open things up for other targets. Rushing ability will transfer to the NFL and could make him an interesting multi-formation player.Cons: Patterson’s lack of high-level experience shows up very clearly in his lack of overall route development and awareness, and this isn’t an issue that can be corrected overnight. Played in a simple, mostly single-read offense, which stunted his development. Doesn’t always transition well to catch out of quick-breaking routes, which seems to be more a function of concentration and technique, because he will catch balls in traffic. The eye-to-hands connection is a work in progress, and he’ll suffer lapses in concentration and ball security as a result.What he brings to the team: Everything but route awareness. There are times on tape where he appears virtually uncoverable, and it’s relatively easy to put some of the blame for the bad plays on abasic offensive system, a lack of experience, and a highly erratic quarterback. In the right system, and under a coaching staff who will not expect too much from him right away in the route-running department, Patterson could be a rookie impact player. And especially in this system, he’s a perfect replacement for Percy Harvin.Was it the right pick? The Vikings have won the draft so far, and by trading back into the first round to nab Patterson, they’ve gone all in."

That is a great recap by Yahoo Sports

and it seems the Vikings made a desperation pick and lost the valuable mid-round picks where this draft is the strongest.

The Vikings now don’t have a draft pick until the late 4th round which is too late to get an impact middle linebacker.  That is unless Speilman kind find a way to get back into the second round.