Vikings ST coordinator: Cordarrelle Patterson is 'best kick returner' in NFL

Cordarrelle Patterson, a 2013 first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, hasn't caught on as a wide receiver yet but he has shown tremendous ability as a return specialist. In fact, Vikings special teams coordinator Mike Priefer doesn't believe there's a better kick returner in the NFL, according to Brian Murphy of the Pioneer Press.

"In my mind, Cordarrelle Patterson's the best kick returner in this league, so it would be crazy for me to put someone else in that spot," Priefer told the Pioneer Press.

As a rookie, Patterson returned 43 kicks for 1,393 yards and two touchdowns, including a 109-yarder. His impressive average of 32.4 yards per kick return earned him a first-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press, the Pro Football Writers of America and Pro Football Focus.

Last season, with opponents fully aware of his ability, Patterson only got his hands on 34 returnable kicks. He accumulated 871 kick return yards but did not score a touchdown in 2014.

"He's still very talented," Priefer said, per Pioneer Press. "Every time he's back there, you guys see teams get nervous and we get great field position because of it."

(h/t TwinCities.com)

Photo Credit: Jim Mone/Contract Photographer