The Minnesota Vikings became the first team since 2001 St. Louis Rams to hold three first round picks in the NFL Draft after acquiring the No. 29 pick from the New England Patriots on Thursday. The Vikings selected Tennessee standout wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, shortly after selecting Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd at the No. 23 spot and Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes at 25.
The Vikings acquired the No. 25 pick earlier in the offseason in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver Percy Harvin. Patterson brings the Vikings a multi-dimensional speedy wide receiver option with a similar explosiveness to Harvin.
Patterson had a 1086 all-purpose yards and 8 touchdowns for the Vols last season. The versatile JUCO transfer had 778 receiving yards on 46 total catches and 308 rushing yards, averaging 12.3 yards per carry.
Patterson is joined by fellow All-SEC selection Sharrif Floyd. Floyd join a Vikings defensive line that already boasts All-Pros Jared Allen and Kevin Williams, as well as Brian Robison and newly-acquired defensive end Lawrence Jackson.
Minnesota also fills another need left by a former player joining the Seattle Seahawks with their selection of Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes fills the void at cornerback left from the departure of former pro bowler Antoine Winfield.
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