Vikings wide receive Cordarrelle Patterson became a must-watch player whenever the Vikings had the ball last December. In five December games, the rookie scored six touchdowns, three through the air and three on the ground. Four of those scores came from at least 33 yards out, including all three as a rusher. He also delivered a 79-yard touchdown reception against the Ravens. The second-year player picked up where he left off in August, grabbing a 53-yard touchdown in Week 3 during the team's dress rehearsal for the regular season.
If this were 2013, he'd be a virtual lock to carve up the Rams defense Sunday. St. Louis had the worst performance against No. 1 receivers in the league, per Football Outsiders, surrendering 97.7 yards per game against them. They took measures to correct that weakness, jettisoning top cornerback Cortland Finnegan and defensive coordinator Tim Walton. Patterson may have a little more difficulty this season against Gregg Williams' defense and presumably Janoris Jenkins at cornerback.
Patterson wasn't a high-volume player in his rookie season, topping five catches only once while chipping in a couple rushes per game near the end of the season. All Fantasy owners should be starting him in Week 1 hoping he breaks a carry or reception for a long touchdown.