Lions general manager Martin Mayhew’s love for wide receivers probably isn’t the only factor in how the team uses its pre-draft visits, but the scheduling has been a bit curious so far.
The Lions hosted Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson Friday, according to the team’s web site, the second of their 30 allotted pre-draft visitors.
The team’s first two visits have been from wide receivers after hosting Patterson’s Tennessee teammate Justin Hunter Thursday.
Like Hunter, Patterson is a potential first-round pick and considered one of the best outside threats in the draft. He measured at just under 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds at the combine last month and ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, sixth fastest among receivers.
Patterson, who left school with a year of eligibility remaining, was an all-purpose threat for the Volunteers in 2012. In addition to 46 receptions for 778 yards and five touchdowns, Patterson had 25 rushes for 308 yards and three touchdowns and scored on a punt return and kickoff return. The strong season earned him honors as the first-team All-SEC all-purpose player, as voted by coaches and media.
Patterson transferred to Tennessee from a junior college in Kansas and played just one season in Knoxville.
ESPN Scouts Inc. rates him as the No. 4 receiver in the upcoming draft and the 28th-best prospect overall.
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