The Buffalo Bills have been linked to free agent running back and four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook throughout the offseason. But what if the reigning AFC East champions eyed another big-named player to help out in the backfield?
On Monday, it was reported that Buffalo will be without running back Nyheim Hines for the year after he suffered a knee injury in a jet ski accident. Without Hines, Buffalo’s running back depth chart consists of James Cook, Damien Harris, Latavius Murray and Darrynton Evans.
With Hines out for the season, Ben King of Sports Illustrated floated the idea of the Bills trading for Atlanta Falcons’ playmaker Cordarrelle Patterson, who could be the odd man out on his club’s depth chart:
“Buffalo’s front office could continue to look for answers via free agency, but it could also solve the problem with a trade. Could Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson be the solution?…
Adding a “Swiss army knife” like Patterson to Buffalo’s offense would be a welcome addition for a team in win-now mode, and Atlanta would still have great depth at the running back position after trading away the veteran…
With two talented backs already on the roster, it would not hurt Buffalo to call Atlanta to at least open discussions on a possible trade for Patterson.”
Patterson has been named to four Pro Bowls as a returner, and he was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team. The veteran wide receiver and special teams playmaker also won a Super Bowl 53 ring with the New England Patriots in the 2018 season.
Patterson joined the Falcons in 2021 and did it all in Arthur Smith’s offense, producing as a runner, receiver and return man. He finished the year with 618 rushing yards and six touchdowns to go along with 548 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. Patterson ended the career year with 1,166 total yards of offense.
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Adding Patterson to an offense consisting of Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid could help take this Buffalo unit to another level. Indeed, it might be worth calling the Falcons to see if a deal for Patterson can be had.
