SF 49ers free agency: 3 versatile players Kyle Shanahan will want
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Free-Agent Target No. 3: Wide Receiver Cordarrelle Patterson
Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson never truly reached the mark the Minnesota Vikings hoped for when they made him a first-round NFL Draft pick back in 2013.
But Patterson has nevertheless carved out niche roles for himself ever since on a number of different teams, particularly in the return game which helped him earn four Pro Bowl nods and four first-team All-Pro accolades over his career.
Yes, San Francisco could use a legitimate threat in the return game, and that’s a big reason why ESPN’s Bill Barnwell (h/t NBC Sports Bay Area) suggested the SF 49ers would go after Patterson this offseason.
There’s more to Patterson’s game than just being a return specialist, though.
Despite turning 30 years old before the start of the 2021 season, Patterson’s speed could make for some interesting packages in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. One thoughtful example was pointed out here by Inside the 49’s Aaron Wilson, which showcases how the wide receiver would be used by New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on motions from receiving spots down close to the quarterback for hand-offs against pass-defense formations.
Shanahan loves this kind of motion, and few have made that as big a part of their game as Patterson.