The Viking Age
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10 worst Vikings draft picks during the Rick Spielman era

By Adam Patrick

Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh (3) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) returns a kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks for a 101 yard touchdown in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Seahawks win 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) returns a kickoff against the Seattle Seahawks for a 101 yard touchdown in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Seahawks win 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR

First round, 29th overall

(2013)

In an already eventful draft for the Vikings that saw them select both Sharrif Floyd and Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota was able to make a deal with the New England Patriots to acquire another pick in the first round in 2013. They opted to use the selection on Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.

Patterson was a dynamic young athlete and the Vikings were looking to add a player to their offense that could replace the production lost when the team decided to trade Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks a couple of months before the draft. Minnesota obviously felt that Patterson was a guy that they did not want to let slip through their fingers.

He proved his worth during his rookie season, racking up a total of nine touchdowns, leading the NFL in yards per kick return, and getting voted to the Pro Bowl.

Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

However, in 2014 the Vikings and new offensive coordinator Norv Turner decided that Patterson’s unorthodox playing-style was not going to fit in their offense (even though that was a reason for why they drafted him). So instead of utilizing his unique skills, Minnesota tried to turn Patterson into a boring, traditional wide receiver.

The results were pretty poor and hit rock bottom in 2015 when he finished with a total of just four touches on offense in 16 games. He performed better in 2016 (52 catches, 496 total yards, two touchdowns), but he was never able to recapture the magic from his rookie season with the Vikings.

Notable players drafted after Patterson:

Le’Veon Bell (Pit), Travis Kelce (KC), Tyrann Mathieu (AZ)

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