Three years after his breakout rookie season, Cordarrelle Patterson again is a fixture in the Vikings' offense, getting almost as many opportunities in the offense on a week-to-week basis as he did during his first year. Patterson has 38 touches in 10 games this season, after totaling just 47 in 2014 and 2015 combined. He had 39 touches, according to ESPN Stats & Information, in the final eight games of the 2013 season, when his role in the offense grew significantly.
But while Patterson's 2016 season so far hasn't included the headline-grabbing runs and catches that his rookie year did, he's getting the ball in a manner that looks much like how the Vikings used him in 2013.
Patterson is averaging only 3.24 yards per target, according to ESPN Stats & Information, as the Vikings look for him on the bubble screens and quick slants they used to great effect in 2013. The story added his involvement could get him a new contract with the Vikings. He's averaging just over three catches per game on just over four targets per game.