Cordarrelle Patterson Drafted By The Minnesota Vikings
By Zach Ragan
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
In a first round draft full of uncertainty, trades and surprise picks, the Minnesota Vikings filled one of their biggest needs when they drafted former Tennessee Volunteer Cordarrelle Patterson.
Patterson became the first Vol since Eric Berry in 2010 to be selected in the first round.
The Vikings traded their number one wide receiver, Percy Harvin, to the Seattle Seahawks earlier this off season for a first round pick.
The deal left the Vikings with a hole to fill at wide receiver, a position where they have little experience now.
The Vikings had two first round picks going into the night. Minnesota took defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd out of Florida with the 23rd pick and Florida State defensive back Xavier Rhodes with the 25th pick.
The Vikings moved back into the first round after a trade with New England. In the deal the Vikings sent four picks to New England, including a second and third, for the ability to move back into the first round and select Patterson.
CBSSports.com gave the Vikings a grade of B- for the selection.
Patterson is dynamic with the ball in his hands and can run the ball out of the backfield, much like Percy Harvin. The former Vol should fit well into the Vikings offensive scheme for that reason.
It was a little bit of a surprise that Patterson was still available, at one time he was being projected as a top 10 pick. Patterson saw his draft stock slip a little, due to a low Wonderlic score and some questionable team interviews.
West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin ended up being the first receiver taken in the draft, when the St. Louis Rams moved up to the 8th pick to select him.
DeAndre Hopkins out of Clemson was the second receiver taken in the draft. The Houston Texans selected him with the 27th pick as the heir apparent to Andre Johnson.
The second and third rounds of the NFL draft will continue tonight at 6:30 est on ESPN and NFL Network.
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