When kickoff returns become less common than Bigfoot sightings, you don't keep a Patterson because of his ability to do returns. You get great receivers who can also run consistent routes and let them stand back there in case the kicker has a muscle spasm and drops it in the field of play.
When the Vikings took Treadwell, anyone who didn't realize Cordarrelle was getting a pink slip was dreaming. They had traded up to get Patterson, and that was a gutsy, high risk move. But with the rule changes, and him unable to apply himself to learn the routes, all his natural talent is pretty much useless now.
