Bijan's Falcons to Cut Cordarrelle Patterson? Trade Makes More Sense

Atlanta Falcons receiver, running back and special teams ace Cordarrelle Patterson is in the final year of his contract. So ... he should get cut?!

Even after a career year in 2022, could Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson be on the way out? Let's be clear here: He grades out in a positive way. He plays multiple positions. He symbolizes the electricity and effort that marks Atlanta's club. The Falcons don't have a cap crunch and his contract is reasonable. 

So ... what are we doing here again? Bleacher Report listed some NFL veterans that could be fighting for a roster spot in training camp. Among the guys mentioned was Patterson. We don't think BR has any special insight here. We do think BR has the right to its opinion.

But no, we see no advantage to Patterson - who showed he has plenty left in the tank last season - being dumped for no reason.

The addition of rookie running back Bijan Robinson will affect the number of touches Patterson gets on the ground and in the passing game. Touches will be tougher for Patterson to come by, too, because another young running back in Tyler Allgeier is in play.

BR is also right in pointing out that "Atlanta isn't exactly short on pass-catching talent either, with Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Mack Hollins, Scotty Miller and Jonnu Smith on the roster.''

So, a reduced role for Patterson, 32, who had career-highs in rushing yards (695) and touchdowns (eight) in 2022? Sure. But even if Patterson's role on offense is diminished, he can still help the team on special teams. He ran one kickoff back for a touchdown in 2022 and has managed to score in eight of his 11 seasons in the NFL on kickoffs. BR notes the league's new fair-catch rule as another reason to not bother keeping Patterson, but we have a prediction: Teams that employ all-time-great return guys (like CP) won't be fair-catching as often as some think.

There are some fun rumors about Patterson being traded to places like the Dallas Cowboys (though they have Pro Bowler Tony Pollard and we're not sure they need another backup runner, either). But Patterson is in the final year of his contract, only saves the Falcons $5 million if he's cut, and offers value either on the roster, or on the trade block. In short, even with young players set to step up in the passing and rushing game, Patterson has value. And the Falcons have no business simply dumping value.

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