ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) - The Oakland Raiders are trading star kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson to the New England Patriots.
A person familiar with the deal said Sunday that the deal will become official after Patterson passes a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. Pardon My Take first reported the trade.
NFL Network reported that Oakland will receive a fifth-round pick in the deal and send one of its six sixth-round picks to New England.
Patterson is one of the most accomplished kickoff returners in the game. His career average of 30.2 yards per return ranks second all-time to Hall of Famer Gale Sayers’ 30.6 mark.
Patterson spent one year in Oakland after playing four seasons in Minnesota. The Vikings originally acquired Patterson with the 29th pick in the 2013 draft after trading up with the Patriots.
Patterson has played receiver throughout his career, but has made his biggest impact as a returner where he has scored five touchdowns and has always helped create good field position for his teams.
The Raiders had the best average starting field position after kickoffs last season in the NFL, while the Patriots ranked fourth.
That speed has been less effective as a receiver where Patterson has averaged only 10 yards per catch in his career as he has been mostly used on screens and short passes.
Patterson caught 31 passes for 309 yards last season for Oakland and also ran for 121 yards on 13 carries for three scores.
For his career, Patterson has 163 catches for 1,625 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with 44 carries for 454 yards and six scores.
The Raiders have made some moves at receiver this offseason under new coach Jon Gruden. Jordy Nelson was signed last week to be a starter alongside Amari Cooper, leading to the decision to let Michael Crabtree go.
Oakland also signed Griff Whalen for depth at returner and receiver and is reportedly interested in former Washington receiver Ryan Grant as a potential free agent addition.
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