New England Patriots: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 03: Cordarrelle Patterson #84 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after an 59-yard pass play against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

5. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR (from Oakland Raiders)

This won’t be the only time that running back Dion Lewis is mentioned in this piece. In this segment, the onus is on his affect is a kickoff return specialist. This past season with the New England Patriots, the one-time fifth-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles (2011) took back 23 kickoffs for 570 yards (24.8 average) and one score. But he’s now a member of the Tennessee Titans.

No matter. Bill Belichick traded for talented Cordarrelle Patterson, a one-time first-round selection of the Minnesota Vikings. While he’s never really been a big time threat as a wide receiver, he’s emerged as one of the best return specialists in the league. He took back five kickoffs for scores in four seasons with the Purple Gang and was named to a pair of Pro Bowls.

He spent 2017 with the Oakland Raiders and the club took advantage of it is assorted skills. While he totaled only 31 catches for 309 yards and zero touchdowns, he ran the ball 13 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns. He also averaged 28.3 yards on 19 kickoff returns. Patterson is the ideal toy for a head coach who likes his players to be versatile. And don’t think for a moment that Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels don’t have some special plans when it comes to the five-year pro.

Next: No. 4

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