The Falcons have an incredibly deep roster in certain areas, and running back is one of those position groups. The team returns a 1,000-yard rusher in Tyler Allgeier, who broke the franchise rookie rushing record, as well as the ultra-versatile Cordarrelle Patterson. The front office didn’t stop there, drafting Bijan Robinson with the club’s 8th overall pick.
It’s the deepest running back group in the league, featuring three capable horses, two of which are excellent pass catchers. However, it’s sparked a strange narrative over at Bleacher Report. Kristopher Knox wrote an article in July about veterans on the roster bubble, including Patterson. I dismantled the piece about a month ago and will do it again. Here’s what Knox had to say this time around:
It would be a surprise if the Atlanta Falcons parted with runner/receiver/returner Cordarrelle Patterson because of his roster versatility. It is a possibility, though, because the Falcons could release him and save $4.3 million in 2023 cap space.
The reality is that Atlanta no longer needs Patterson as a running back. It has a 1,000-yard rusher in Tyler Allgeier and a potential superstar in rookie first-round pick Bijan Robinson. The rookie is already shining as a dual-threat in training camp.
“Some of it has to do with [head coach Arthur] Smith’s philosophy. A lot comes from Robinson’s ever-expanding skill set,” ESPN’s Michael Rothstein wrote.
With Robinson set to take over Patterson’s backfield role, the 32-year-old may have to return to being a wide receiver to see significant playing time. With targets like Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller at Desmond Ridder‘s disposal, Patterson may have trouble sticking there too.
It may all boil down to how much Atlanta values Patterson’s versatility and special-teams value. If the Falcons identify another capable returner by the end of the preseason, Patterson could be on the move.
Knox has changed his tone quite a bit since his last edition, stating ‘it would be a surprise’ if the Falcons parted ways with Patterson. However, where Knox has got it wrong, once again, is the reasoning.
Yes, the veteran is incredibly versatile, able to contribute in several facets of the game — special teams, rushing, and receiving. The Falcons used him in a more traditional running back role last season compared to his first year in Atlanta, and fans should expect him to be used closer to the way he was in 2021, splitting snaps as a running back and everywhere else more evenly due to the presence of Allgeier and Robinson.
However, his value extends far beyond Xs and Os. Patterson is one of the few players that has stuck around since the new regime took over, and it’s for a reason. He possesses the leadership and intangibles that Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot want in the building. Patterson is a microcosm of the culture the pair want around Flowery Branch.
There are very few players on the team that the Atlanta Falcons would keep over Cordarrelle Patterson, and it’s not just because of his physical ability.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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