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Ten unheralded signings that will define NFL free agency

8. Cordarrelle Patterson, wide receiver, Oakland Raiders

Whether it’s at running back, wide receiver or as a gunner on special teams, Patterson has proven himself to be a rare talent. And while he did struggle for a couple seasons in Minnesota, the two-time Pro Bowler was back to his old self last season.

He put up a career-best 52 receptions and a tremendous 74 percent catch rate for Sam Bradford and Co. in 2016. All said, Patterson gained over 1,300 all-purpose yards en route to earning his second trip to the Pro Bowl.

Now that he’s on an offense with a much improved quarterback and a better set of receivers, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Patterson break out even more. In reality, opposing AFC West defenses are going to have a heck of time game planning for what the Raiders do on offense in 2017.

Just imagine the ultra shifty Patterson lining up in trips formation with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. We already know Crabtree himself is one of the best route runners in the game. Add in Cooper’s physicality and Patterson’s speed, and this is a scary proposition for defenses.

It really does make an already dynamic Raiders offense that much more unstoppable. Who will defenses throw double teams to? If it’s not Patterson over the top, can any nickel back or safety keep up with the speedster? And when they decide to help with coverage over the top, who can stay with the two 1,000-yard receivers this team boasts?

Adding to this potential off-season defining free agent signing is Patterson’s elite-level ability as a gunner on special teams. His presence there will help Oakland create advantages in the field position game, especially with Pro Bowl caliber punter Marquette King doing his thing. We simply couldn’t imagine a better fit for either the player or the team here.

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