Career breakthrough in the ninth NFL season? Running back Cordarrelle Patterson is advancing to become an important piece of the offensive puzzle for the Atlanta Falcons. Partly because he’s taking advantage of his past as a wide receiver.

Munich – Sometimes things get better with age. Wine, cheese and apparently Cordarrelle Patterson. The Atlanta Falcons running back, in his ninth season in the NFL, is the linchpin of an otherwise rather undynamic Falcons offence.

At 30 years old, nothing seems to stand in the way of a breakthrough. 119 rushing yards, 235 receiving yards and five touchdowns are to the credit of the former first-round pick after four games.

Praise from Head Coach

“It’s a lot of fun working with players like him. He’s been our best offensive player. We can incorporate him creatively into our offense because he has a variable skill set,” praised Head Coach Arthur Smith after the game against the New York Giants on game three.

In week four, in the Falcons’ 30-34 loss, Patterson acclaimed three touchdowns. “I don’t care if I’m a receiver, running back or returner, I’m here to play football,” Patterson predicted before the season.

From special teams ace to offensive ace?

It’s not news that Patterson is one of the most dynamic players in the league. The 30-year-old is considered one of the best kick returners in NFL history, averaging nearly 30 yards per return and eight return touchdowns.

But so far, the offensive coordinators of his previous teams (Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots and Chicago Bears) have had limited success integrating that explosiveness into the offense.

With the Vikings and Raiders, Patterson tried his hand at receiver most of the time, while the Patriots and Bears used him in a hybrid role of receiver and running back.

Arthur Smith also lines him up as both a ball carrier (60 snaps) and receiver (30 snaps). At the same time he has Patterson running routes out of the backfield, linebackers or safeties who traditionally become running backs in coverage can’t keep up with the speed and route running.

Patterson takes his chance

Quarterback Matt Ryan also keeps serving Patterson on screen passes. Behind a series of pre-blockers, Patterson can then play off his momentum and create yards on his own. Patterson amassed 172 of his 235 receiving yards after catching a pass.

Although he is statistically one of the best players this season, he has only been on the field for 97 snaps. The appointed running back, Mike Davis, for example, already has 188. Arthur Smith left unanswered whether Patterson’s role will become bigger: “Patterson does a lot of good things for us, but I also trust Davis and Wayne Gallman.”

One of the few bright spots in what has been an unspectacular Falcons offence, Patterson must continue to see his snaps. Whether as a receiver, running back or returner.