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Buccaneers: Five Options to Cure the Need for Speed

By Michael Horan

Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver /

Cordarrelle Patterson

So far we’ve seen two different receiving options for the Bucs: the cagey old vet looking for one more contract, and the sweet summer child who is entering the draft. As always, there’s a potential middle ground here, and that’s Cordarrelle Patterson. I mentioned earlier that the Bucs needed “juice” along with speed, and of all the players on this list, Patterson runs with the most juice.

The Minnesota Vikings drafted Patterson 29th overall out of Tennessee back in 2013 and for the most part he’s disappointed as a receiver. In four seasons he has just seven touchdowns and has never eclipsed 470 receiving yards or 52 catches. Sounds like someone the Bucs should stay away from, right? Not necessarily. While the 25-year-old Patterson isn’t yet a top-notch receiver, he uses his ridiculous talent as an open field runner to be among the very best kick returners in the NFL.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/673598975652421632

The Bucs’ lack of speed extends further than just their receiving corps, as they have one of the least impressive punt and kick return groups in the entire league. This has been the case for much of the Bucs existence and Patterson would instantly help cure those woes. For a team that seems intent on fixing its special teams, Patterson seems to be a player that would catch their eye.

In 2016 Patterson led the NFL in return yards per kickoff and was elected to both the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams as a returner. He also made the “Pro Football Writers of America” All-Pro team as a kick returner. While Patterson is a bit of a risk because of his lack of receiving production, his raw talent and ability to make ten into thirty would allow the Bucs to get much more creative on offense, and he would fill a void that’s existed for almost every season since 1976.

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