The Facts: Patterson will know a lot more about his future with the Vikings by May 3. That's the deadline for teams to pick up the 2017 fifth-year options for players selected in the first round of the 2013 draft. Patterson's option is for $7.915 million, and it would be a surprise if the Vikings invoke it.
Diehards Line:Patterson was chosen No. 29 in the 2013 draft. After a strong rookie season, in which he caught 45 passes for 469 yards, he lost his starting receiving job in 2014 and barely played last season on offense. Patterson, on track to make $1.389 million in 2016, led the NFL in kickoff return average in 2013 and 2015. However, it’s unlikely the Vikings would pick up such a huge salary on Patterson for 2017, considering he has yet to prove he can be a consistent receiver. Fifth-year options invoked are guaranteed only in the event of injury. If Patterson’s is not picked up, he would be on schedule to be a free agent after next season. Patterson’s option amount for 2017, as is the case with all players taken in the 2013 first round, is based upon a formula that considers a player’s position and where he was taken in the draft. All wide receivers selected between 11 and 32 in 2013 have the same option amount, including Houston star DeAndre Hopkins, who went No. 27.