The Raiders are trading one of the league’s best kick returners, Cordarrelle Patterson, to the New England Patriots, per multiple reports. The Pardon My Take podcast first reported the news Sunday afternoon.
Patterson figured to be Oakland’s No. 4 wide receiver behind Amari Cooper, Jordy Nelson and Seth Roberts next season. He was the Raiders’ top kick returner, averaging 28.3 yards per return on 19 returns in 2017, including a long return of 49 yards. Oakland saves $3.25 million in cap space with the move.
NFL Network reported the Raiders are swapping one of their sixth-round picks for a Patriots fifth-round pick along with dealing Patterson.