Non-QB Prospects

[mjt328]

Everywhere I look, I see people calling this QB class "weak" - with many suggesting that none of them are worth a first round pick.

A lot of Bills fans have now jumped on that bandwagon, and are pulling for us to draft another position with the #8 pick. But my question is WHO is really worth a pick that high? The more I examine this draft class as a whole, I notice a serious lack of elite talent at pretty much ALL football positions. I'm not saying some good players won't emerge from the 2013 draft. I'm just saying, I don't see superstar talent at any level.


I've seen people clamoring for Te'o - who even with his fake girlfriend fiasco is still considered the top rated inside linebacker available. But does anyone really see an elite talent with this guy? Watching him play, I don't think he's even in the same ballpark as Luke Kuechley was last year.

I've also seen people pushing for Cordarelle Patterson. Again...this guy couldn't even touch Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd coming out last year. I like his elusiveness in the open field, but I just don't see the size, speed or route running ability that elite first round prospects usually have.


It's like that pretty much across the board. Matt Kalil >>>> Luke Joekel, Trent Richardson >>>> Eddie Lacy, etc.

Honestly, the only non-QB player that stands out to me right now is Jarvis Jones.

[Night Train]

If Levitre does walk, I know 3 blue chip OL I'd select immediately to replace him. Joekel, Fisher & Warmack. A LB like Jordan. A WR like Patterson & Allen. A CB, Milliner .

[better days]

If Levitre does walk, I know 3 blue chip OL I'd select immediately to replace him. Joekel, Fisher & Warmack. A LB like Jordan. A WR like Patterson & Allen. A CB, Milliner .

You would replace Levitre with the #8 pick?

[TigerJ]

I agree that offensive linemen probably at at the top, talentwise in this draft. Joeckel and Fisher will probably be gone by the time Buffalo drafts, and Buffalo's need is not at tackle. I know people have suggested Buffalo draft a top tackle and shift Cordy Glenn inside, but I've never seen any indication that Buddy Nix thinks along those lines. Frankly, I would be very frustrated if Buffalo picked Warmack to replace Levitre. If you're a great team, you can pick one great player to replace another one, but if you're less than great, you're not improving your team when you do that. Rinehart has been more than adequate when he's played guard, so I'd rather they start him and draft a develoopmental guy, while drafting in an area where there is an obvious hole already, not a hole we create by faling to re-sign a free agent.

At linebacker, I agree, the situation is not unlike the one at QB. There is talent, but there are also warts. I'm satisfied that Teo's girlfriend woes will have zero impact on his NFL career, but he was exposed as a less than dominant player versus Alabama. There's also a question about how he'll time in the combine. Even Jarvis Jones has his question marks with short arms and the spinal stenosis issue that won't go away completely. Barkevious Mingo and Dion Jordan weren't as productive as you'd like.

Patterson at WR is the classic one year wonder, while Keenan Allen is recuperating from his ACL surgery.

Dee Milliner lacks top end speed.

Yeah, you could pick a guy at a different position than QB, and it's quite possible Biffalo will, but if you think you are completely avoiding the possibility of being second guessed later on, you're fooling yourself.

[Joe Fo Sho]

If Levitre does walk, I know 3 blue chip OL I'd select immediately to replace him. Joekel, Fisher & Warmack. A LB like Jordan. A WR like Patterson & Allen. A CB, Milliner .

This statement is the epitome of Buffalo Bills football. I understand that sometimes it's impossible to resign some players, but it happens in Buffalo all the time and we end up wasting a first round pick on someone we let walk out the door.

Get rid of McGahee, draft Lynch with our first pick.
Gonna get rid of Lynch, draft Spiller with our first pick.
Let Clements walk, draft McKelvin.
Let Jabari walk, draft Gilmore.
Let Levitre walk, draft his replacement.
Let Whitner walk, no wait...that was a good move.

If we're going to draft a replacement for one of our best FAs that we're letting leave, we should try harder to resign that player. We're basically wasting our top picks.

[justasportsfan]

If Levitre does walk, I know 3 blue chip OL I'd select immediately to replace him. Joekel, Fisher & Warmack. A LB like Jordan. A WR like Patterson & Allen. A CB, Milliner .

and this is why I am against letting Levitre walk. We can use the draft picks to fill other holes.

[Bill Cody]

I think this is the ideal draft to trade down. You can do it if you try hard enough, you only need 1 taker at a time and I'd love to see us move down a couple times into the late 1st, stock pile picks, maybe even get an extra pick or 2 for next year. Our roster isn't just worse than the top teams for starters it's worse for depth. I get the fact that we need a QB but I'm simply not married to any of the QB's in the draft. If they want to move down and take a shot with an end of the 1st pick on one of the QB's fine. But we've flushed enough early 1sts on busts for me to stomach another hail mary.

[Ed]

I wouldn't be opposed to taking Warmack if he's BPA and as special as people think, but it would depend on what we do in free agency. I understand that it seems like a waste to let Levitre walk and then draft a guard at #8, but it wouldn't be if they use the money they saved on Levitre to add significant free agents at other positions. I mean lets say they used the money for Levitre to sign a WR like Dwayne Bowe and then draft Warmack. You've just significantly upgraded your WRs and probably upgraded your LG position too. If they re-sign Levitre for big money and then end up using the #8 pick to draft a WR like Patterson or Allen, is that really any better?

[jpdex12]

Agreed, not many top notch prospects for any positions but many that look like they will develop into that and many that will be contributors this year. I don't see that Von Miller day one standout. This is a very deep draft for many positions though and we should stick to the BPA in this draft. We might take someone like T'eo, Ansah or Jarvis Jones with the #8 pick and follow up with our QB in Round 2 but people shouldn't get bent out of shape if we don't grab a QB in Round 1. Maybe Smith or Barkley will be our pick at #8 but I suspect we will look at who the top prospect is sitting there at #8 and look at the positions of need and if the #1 prospect is there for a position of need other than QB we will take him and definitely go QB in Round 2.

[X-Era]

I've also seen people pushing for Cordarelle Patterson. Again...this guy couldn't even touch Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd coming out last year. I like his elusiveness in the open field, but I just don't see the size, speed or route running ability that elite first round prospects usually have. Huh?

He's got world class speed, stands 6'3" and 205, and is an open field threat who can make players miss. The guy is a simply raw. He doesn't have the best route running and will do some body catching but he has good hands.

He's the big, fast, explosive, type WR that Nix wants.

As far as where he ranks versus previous drafts he's simply different. He's not been as productive as long as Blackmon or Floyd. But he's more explosive than Floyd and much faster than both. he think he could run a sub-4.4 40 at the combine.

He's run a 10.33 100 meter and had a 22 foot long jump:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/05/patterson-arrives-to-lofty-expectations/

Patterson will likely be worth the 8 pick.

[k-oneputt]

I don't care who you have on your team if you don't have a qb.
Cannot win without the qb. Not in today's NFL especially.

I know this, Fitz isn't the answer, Jackson isn't the answer, the token 7th rd. qb draftpick from East Bumf. isn't the answer.
Evaluate the qb's and take your shot at #8.
Yes, we could try wait and hope the qb we like is there in rd.2. but he may be gone, especially with the way qb's end up going earlier.
Then follow it up in the 3rd or 4th rd. with another qb. Cut Fitz and go with Jackson and the two drafted qb's.
Russell Wilson wasn't "supposed" to go in rd.1 either.
I bet every team in the league would take him in rd.1 in this draft now.

[mjt328]

Huh?

He's got world class speed, stands 6'3" and 205, and is an open field threat who can make players miss. The guy is a simply raw. He doesn't have the best route running and will do some body catching but he has good hands.

He's the big, fast, explosive, type WR that Nix wants.

As far as where he ranks versus previous drafts he's simply different. He's not been as productive as long as Blackmon or Floyd. But he's more explosive than Floyd and much faster than both. he think he could run a sub-4.4 40 at the combine.

He's run a 10.33 100 meter and had a 22 foot long jump:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/05/patterson-arrives-to-lofty-expectations/

Patterson will likely be worth the 8 pick.

You might be right in the end.

But if we aren't willing to gamble on a quarterback like Geno Smith or Matt Barkley - the most important position in football, then I think it's ridiculous to spend our Top 10 pick on a wide receiver that has exactly ONE college season under his belt... where he wasn't really all that productive.

Sure, Patterson may have some physical upside. But he certainly doesn't have the production: 48 receptions, 778 yards and 5 touchdowns in his entire college career at Tennessee. And on film, I don't see him dominating the game. I don't see him outjumping, outrunning or outmuscling cornerbacks. His route running, hands and effort don't blow me away.

Compare that to Justin Blackmon (who many considered a reach in the Top 10 last year). His last two stat lines were: 121 receptions, 1522 yards, 18 touchdowns; and 111 receptions, 1782 yards and 20 touchdowns. On film, you couldn't watch an Oklahoma State game without Blackmon jumping out as the best player on the field.

[better days]

Huh?

He's got world class speed, stands 6'3" and 205, and is an open field threat who can make players miss. The guy is a simply raw. He doesn't have the best route running and will do some body catching but he has good hands.

He's the big, fast, explosive, type WR that Nix wants.

As far as where he ranks versus previous drafts he's simply different. He's not been as productive as long as Blackmon or Floyd. But he's more explosive than Floyd and much faster than both. he think he could run a sub-4.4 40 at the combine.

He's run a 10.33 100 meter and had a 22 foot long jump:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/05/patterson-arrives-to-lofty-expectations/

Patterson will likely be worth the 8 pick.

Al Davis would have loved this guy. Just the type of player he used to draft. FAST, but not necessarily a good FOOTBALL player.

[YardRat]

This statement is the epitome of Buffalo Bills football. I understand that sometimes it's impossible to resign some players, but it happens in Buffalo all the time and we end up wasting a first round pick on someone we let walk out the door.

Get rid of McGahee, draft Lynch with our first pick.
Gonna get rid of Lynch, draft Spiller with our first pick.
Let Clements walk, draft McKelvin.
Let Jabari walk, draft Gilmore.
Let Levitre walk, draft his replacement.
Let Whitner walk, no wait...that was a good move.

If we're going to draft a replacement for one of our best FAs that we're letting leave, we should try harder to resign that player. We're basically wasting our top picks.

We should have never drafted McGahee to begin with...a lot of bad picks from that era...or Lynch, I wanted Revis.
Spiller was even a questionable pick at the time, but may turn out quite different over the long haul.
Clements wanted too much money...waaaay too much. If Levitre walks the same path, he can go also. Asking for money way over value is a good reason to let someone go.
Letting Greer go was a mistake, but in no way related to Gilmore.
See above.
Yes, Whitner was a good move, although he never should have been picked either.

[The Jokeman]

You might be right in the end.

But if we aren't willing to gamble on a quarterback like Geno Smith or Matt Barkley - the most important position in football, then I think it's ridiculous to spend our Top 10 pick on a wide receiver that has exactly ONE college season under his belt... where he wasn't really all that productive.

10 TDs in 12 games isn't productive? Don't just focus on his receiving stats!



You might be right in the end.

But if we aren't willing to gamble on a quarterback like Geno Smith or Matt Barkley - the most important position in football, then I think it's ridiculous to spend our Top 10 pick on a wide receiver that has exactly ONE college season under his belt... where he wasn't really all that productive.

Sure, Patterson may have some physical upside. But he certainly doesn't have the production: 48 receptions, 778 yards and 5 touchdowns in his entire college career at Tennessee. And on film, I don't see him dominating the game. I don't see him outjumping, outrunning or outmuscling cornerbacks. His route running, hands and effort don't blow me away.

Compare that to Justin Blackmon (who many considered a reach in the Top 10 last year). His last two stat lines were: 121 receptions, 1522 yards, 18 touchdowns; and 111 receptions, 1782 yards and 20 touchdowns. On film, you couldn't watch an Oklahoma State game without Blackmon jumping out as the best player on the field.

You just stated Blackmon put up those numbers in two seasons. Patterson's played 1 season in the NCAA and you focus primarly on his reciving numbers, did you see what he did as running the ball? 25 rushed for 308 yards (12.3 yards per carry) and 3 TDs. Toss in his kick return abilty. Simple put the guy is dynamic in space which isn't something you can teach yet you can teach him to be a better route runner and let's not forget he played 1 season in the NCAA if you want to compare Blackmon to Patterson why not look at Blackmon's first year? When he amassed 20 catches 260 yards and 3 TDs receiving. Yet don't forget Patterson also had to compete with Justin Harper for balls last year. Also Patterson is bigger than Blackmon at 6-3 and will likely run a quicker forty time. While Blackmon might be more pro ready coming out I think Patterson has a higher ceiling and why I'd welcome him at pick 8.


Al Davis would have loved this guy. Just the type of player he used to draft. FAST, but not necessarily a good FOOTBALL player.
Patterson's a football player watch his highlights the guy is a playmaker plain and simple and has amazing size and speed. He might lack some polish but being the learning curve for most WRs is three seasons I'm willing to have him replace McKelvin as our primary return man next year and develop as a #2 in 2014 and quite possibly be our #1 WR in 2015.

[better days]

You just stated Blackmon put up those numbers in two seasons. Patterson's played 1 season in the NCAA and you focus primarly on his reciving numbers, did you see what he did as running the ball? 25 rushed for 308 yards (12.3 yards per carry) and 3 TDs. Toss in his kick return abilty. Simple put the guy is dynamic in space which isn't something you can't teach yet you can teach him to be a better route runner and let's not forget he played 1 season in the NCAA if you want to compare Blackmon to Patterson why not look at Blackmon's first year? When he amassed 20 catches 260 yards and 3 TDs receiving. Yet don't forget Patterson also had to compete with Justin Harper for balls last year. Also Patterson is bigger than Blackmon at 6-3 and will likely run a quicker forty time. While Blackmon might be more pro ready coming out I think Patterson has a higher ceiling and why I'd welcome him at pick 8.


Patterson's a football player watch his highlights the guy is a playmaker plain and simple and has amazing size and speed. He might lack some polish but being the learning curve for most WRs is three seasons I'm willing to have him replace McKelvin as our primary return man next year and develop as a #2 in 2014 and quite possibly be our #1 WR in 2015.

Like I said, this guy is the type of player Al Davis would love to draft.................................But NOT Buddy Nix. Nix has said he does not like to draft one year wonders.

[The Jokeman]

Like I said, this guy is the type of player Al Davis would love to draft.................................But NOT Buddy Nix. Nix has said he does not like to draft one year wonders.

He's not a ONE YEAR wonder he was amazing in junior college too, as he holds more than a dozen records at Hutchinson C.C., including career receiving yards (1,832), career receptions (113), career receiving touchdowns (24), career total touchdowns (36), career points (216), career kickoff return average (41.9) and career all-purpose yards (3,379). I have a feeling he came out early because his QB isn't returning next year. I've compared him to Percy Harvin but to me he's more valuable because he's bigger ane before you frown on junior college let's not forget Cam Newton was a 1 year NCAA wonder too and here's an article on the subject from a few years ago http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/15384889/juniorcollege-stars-no-longer-looked-down-upon-by-nfl

[X-Era]

Have you guys checked out my thread on him?

http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/216671-Cordarrelle-Patterson-WR-Tenn

Watch some of that.

[Joe Fo Sho]

We should have never drafted McGahee to begin with...a lot of bad picks from that era...or Lynch, I wanted Revis.
Spiller was even a questionable pick at the time, but may turn out quite different over the long haul.
Clements wanted too much money...waaaay too much. If Levitre walks the same path, he can go also. Asking for money way over value is a good reason to let someone go.
Letting Greer go was a mistake, but in no way related to Gilmore.
See above.
Yes, Whitner was a good move, although he never should have been picked either.

Do you think we would've drafted Gilmore if Greer was still here?

All I'm trying to say is that we waste a lot of first round picks. I don't want to do that again if we can avoid it. Don't draft Levitre's replacement in the 1st round instead of just resigning Levitre.

[Fixxxer]

Draft three QBs with the first three picks and let them fight in the TC for the starting position, obviously, after re-signing both Levitre and Byrd and bringing a couple of LBs in FA.

[mjt328]

10 TDs in 12 games isn't productive? Don't just focus on his receiving stats!

You just stated Blackmon put up those numbers in two seasons. Patterson's played 1 season in the NCAA and you focus primarly on his reciving numbers, did you see what he did as running the ball? 25 rushed for 308 yards (12.3 yards per carry) and 3 TDs. Toss in his kick return abilty. Simple put the guy is dynamic in space which isn't something you can teach yet you can teach him to be a better route runner and let's not forget he played 1 season in the NCAA if you want to compare Blackmon to Patterson why not look at Blackmon's first year? When he amassed 20 catches 260 yards and 3 TDs receiving. Yet don't forget Patterson also had to compete with Justin Harper for balls last year. Also Patterson is bigger than Blackmon at 6-3 and will likely run a quicker forty time. While Blackmon might be more pro ready coming out I think Patterson has a higher ceiling and why I'd welcome him at pick 8.

Patterson's a football player watch his highlights the guy is a playmaker plain and simple and has amazing size and speed. He might lack some polish but being the learning curve for most WRs is three seasons I'm willing to have him replace McKelvin as our primary return man next year and develop as a #2 in 2014 and quite possibly be our #1 WR in 2015.


I'm not questioning that Patterson has POTENTIAL. He's versatile and exceptional after getting the ball in his hands (think a skill set very similar to Percy Harvin).
But as an NFL prospect, there are still a lot of questions. You can't just look at the You Tube highlights. You have to look at the big picture.

Sure he can run the ball and return kickoffs. But can he consistently get open against NFL cornerbacks?
If he's really an elite talent, then why did he completely disappear so many times during the season? He went 5 games in a row with less than 4 catches and less than 35 yards receiving.
If you average out his receiving stat line per game, you have approximately 3.8 receptions, 64.8 yards and 0.4 touchdowns per game. Not that exceptional...

Patterson is EXTREMELY raw as a prospect. Very similar to Stephen Hill last year.

As far as his "amazing size" - Blackmon measures 6'1, 207 lbs. Patterson just measured 6'2, 216 lbs. Not that much different.

[better days]

I'm not questioning that Patterson has POTENTIAL. He's versatile and exceptional after getting the ball in his hands (think a skill set very similar to Percy Harvin).
But as an NFL prospect, there are still a lot of questions. You can't just look at the You Tube highlights. You have to look at the big picture.

Sure he can run the ball and return kickoffs. But can he consistently get open against NFL cornerbacks?
If he's really an elite talent, then why did he completely disappear so many times during the season? He went 5 games in a row with less than 4 catches and less than 35 yards receiving.
If you average out his receiving stat line per game, you have approximately 3.8 receptions, 64.8 yards and 0.4 touchdowns per game. Not that exceptional...

Patterson is EXTREMELY raw as a prospect. Very similar to Stephen Hill last year.

As far as his "amazing size" - Blackmon measures 6'1, 207 lbs. Patterson just measured 6'2, 216 lbs. Not that much different.

The Jets drafted Hill in the 2nd last year & they are still waiting for him to show anything. His best game was the first game against the Bills where he had 2 TDs. He disappeared after that game for the rest of the year.

[mjt328]

The Jets drafted Hill in the 2nd last year & they are still waiting for him to show anything. His best game was the first game against the Bills where he had 2 TDs. He disappeared after that game for the rest of the year.

Exactly. I wasn't a big fan of Hill last year either.

My point in this thread wasn't to bash Patterson though. I was trying to point out that compared to the prospects last year - this year's group is weak at all positions, not just quarterback. So the argument that we should pass on a quarterback for something else (in my opinion) doesn't make much sense.

Last year, I thought Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Trent Richardson, Doug Martin, Justin Blackmon, Matt Kalil, Whitney Mercilus, Melvin Ingram, Luke Kuechley and Maurice Claiborne all had a chance to be very special in the pros. I haven't finished studying all of the top prospects yet, but so far, I wouldn't place anyone in the 2013 class in that category yet. Possibly with the exception of Jarvis Jones.

[better days]

Exactly. I wasn't a big fan of Hill last year either.

My point in this thread wasn't to bash Patterson though. I was trying to point out that compared to the prospects last year - this year's group is weak at all positions, not just quarterback. So the argument that we should pass on a quarterback for something else (in my opinion) doesn't make much sense.

Last year, I thought Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Trent Richardson, Doug Martin, Justin Blackmon, Matt Kalil, Whitney Mercilus, Melvin Ingram, Luke Kuechley and Maurice Claiborne all had a chance to be very special in the pros. I haven't finished studying all of the top prospects yet, but so far, I wouldn't place anyone in the 2013 class in that category yet. Possibly with the exception of Jarvis Jones.

There are questions about Jones like there are about most others in this draft. I agree with you & have been saying the same thing. Take the QB at #8 where you get your pick of the most available, they will start going soon after 8. The Jets may take one at #9.

[X-Era]

I'm not questioning that Patterson has POTENTIAL. He's versatile and exceptional after getting the ball in his hands (think a skill set very similar to Percy Harvin).
But as an NFL prospect, there are still a lot of questions. You can't just look at the You Tube highlights. You have to look at the big picture.

Sure he can run the ball and return kickoffs. But can he consistently get open against NFL cornerbacks?
If he's really an elite talent, then why did he completely disappear so many times during the season? He went 5 games in a row with less than 4 catches and less than 35 yards receiving.
If you average out his receiving stat line per game, you have approximately 3.8 receptions, 64.8 yards and 0.4 touchdowns per game. Not that exceptional...

Patterson is EXTREMELY raw as a prospect. Very similar to Stephen Hill last year.

As far as his "amazing size" - Blackmon measures 6'1, 207 lbs. Patterson just measured 6'2, 216 lbs. Not that much different.
Bray is not that good and was very mediocre much of last year and it's Tennessee.

But beyond that you do realize averaging 64 yards a game means he would be over 1000 for a 16 games season right?

Exceptional? No, his production isn't. But his athleticism is and it's not like he's horrible at catching the ball or running routes... If he was great at those too he would be the #1 overall pick.

I think he's worth the 8 pick.

[X-Era]

Exactly. I wasn't a big fan of Hill last year either.

My point in this thread wasn't to bash Patterson though. I was trying to point out that compared to the prospects last year - this year's group is weak at all positions, not just quarterback. So the argument that we should pass on a quarterback for something else (in my opinion) doesn't make much sense.

Last year, I thought Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Trent Richardson, Doug Martin, Justin Blackmon, Matt Kalil, Whitney Mercilus, Melvin Ingram, Luke Kuechley and Maurice Claiborne all had a chance to be very special in the pros. I haven't finished studying all of the top prospects yet, but so far, I wouldn't place anyone in the 2013 class in that category yet. Possibly with the exception of Jarvis Jones.I am not suggesting to pass on a QB if one is worthy of being the 8 pick. Hell, I'd be fine with taking one at 8 if we thought he was only worth the 20 pick due to the difficulty in finding one. And that could very well be what happens.

What I am suggesting is that it doesn't have to be a QB at 8. And if it isn't I'd rather go after another need. WR is one of them and Patterson is a player I'd like at 8. But he's not the only one.

And to your point about best value at the 8 pick, that would most likely be a OL or DL and I would like us to not go after either since were pretty strong in both areas. But even then I could see going that route.

[YardRat]

Do you think we would've drafted Gilmore if Greer was still here?

All I'm trying to say is that we waste a lot of first round picks. I don't want to do that again if we can avoid it. Don't draft Levitre's replacement in the 1st round instead of just resigning Levitre.

Yes, because we still would've needed a #1 CB.

[The Jokeman]

I'm not questioning that Patterson has POTENTIAL. He's versatile and exceptional after getting the ball in his hands (think a skill set very similar to Percy Harvin).
But as an NFL prospect, there are still a lot of questions. You can't just look at the You Tube highlights. You have to look at the big picture.

Sure he can run the ball and return kickoffs. But can he consistently get open against NFL cornerbacks?
If he's really an elite talent, then why did he completely disappear so many times during the season? He went 5 games in a row with less than 4 catches and less than 35 yards receiving.
If you average out his receiving stat line per game, you have approximately 3.8 receptions, 64.8 yards and 0.4 touchdowns per game. Not that exceptional...

Patterson is EXTREMELY raw as a prospect. Very similar to Stephen Hill last year.

As far as his "amazing size" - Blackmon measures 6'1, 207 lbs. Patterson just measured 6'2, 216 lbs. Not that much different.

The Stephen Hill analysis is a fair one but I think Hilll's biggest downfall last year was inability to stay healthy and he didn't have a quality NFL WR playing opposite him once Santanio Holmes got hurt and again most WRs take a good three years to fully develop heck Blackmon struggled most of last season minus his breakout game against Houston. Now IF Patterson runs the projected 4.3 forty time compared to Blackmon's 4.46 there is a big difference between the too also here's a snip it on some analysis on Patterson as again remember he wasn't a number 1 in Tennessee as Hunter was:


First off, Tyler Bray was just bad in terms of missing his wide receivers. However, Patterson was also targeted far less than a normal number 1. Had he been targeted at the same rate, he would have gained 549 yards, for a season total of 1327 yards. There were certainly be no questions about his production with those numbers.

http://secondroundstats.com/2013/02/04/tier1-wrs/