NFL Notes: Cordarrelle Patterson, O.J. Howard, & Rams

Cordarrelle Patterson

Impending free agent WR Cordarrelle Patterson said he’s been “wanting to play running back” and would “love” the opportunity to switch positions.

“I would love to play running back,” Patterson said, via Chad Graff of the Pioneer Press. “I think any receiver in my position would love to play running back. People always say, ‘He’s just a running back when he gets the ball in his hands.’ ”

It is worth mentioning that the Vikings finished the 2016 season with the last-ranked rushing offense in the NFL for 2016.

O.J. Howard

Mike Mayock believes Alabama TE O.J. Howard has the potential to be a top-20 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and compared him to Panthers TE Greg Olson.

“I think he had two goals, one, show he can separate against man-to-man coverage, and two, confirm that he is a much better blocker than he was a couple years ago. Both goals were accomplished,” Mayock said on NFL Network Saturday in pre-game remarks. “In my opinion, he’s a top-20 pick and my NFL comp for him will be Greg Olsen. He can block, he can be in-line, and he can beat you downfield vertically.”

Howard told Mayock that he believes he will run a 40-yard dash time of 4.58 at the NFL Combine next month.

Rams

• Alex Marvez reports that the Rams are hiring former Chargers defensive quality control coach Chris Shula to their staff as a defensive assistant.