Munnerlyn: Cordarrelle Patterson is 'really growing as a receiver'

Discussing Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson...

"The time we played them, he was nothing like he is now,'' Captain Munnerlyn said. "I told him, 'The time we played you, I'm glad we caught you early.' Because if we hadn't have caught him early, he was tearing people up at the end up the year. He's really growing as a receiver, and I'm seeing it with my own two eyes.''

All arrows are pointing up for Patterson, who was the #10 WR from Week 10 to Week 17 in his rookie season. He scored seven touchdowns in that span (three rush, four receiving) while racking up 29 catches for 323 yards to go along with 10 carries for 156 rushing yards. With Josh Gordon coming off of a breakout season under new Vikings OC Norv Turner, Patterson should be a fantasy starter sooner rather than later. His TD rate will be difficult to maintain, but he should see a jump in touches in 2014. As a rookie, Patterson was very raw as a route runner and needs to develop quickly in that facet of the game if he's to have the type of season that many are predicting.