The Indianapolis Colts announced today that they have signed undrafted free agent cornerback Eric Patterson.
At 5’9″, 178 pounds, Patterson played his collegiate football for Ball State. Last season before a season-ending injury, he recorded 49 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 27 passes defensed in 9 starts. His exceptional play garnered him All-Mid-American Conference Third-Team honors.
NFL.com’s Gil Brandt had previously noted that Patterson had a good pro day workout:
"“Cornerback Eric Patterson (5-9 1/4, 197) ran the 40 in 4.5 and 4.53 seconds,” writes Brandt. “He had a 36 1/2-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-2 broad jump. He did the short shuttle in 4.38 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.01 seconds. He performed 18 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Patterson had a good pro day workout, which might have earned him priority free-agent status following the conclusion of the 2015 NFL Draft.”"
It’s worth noting that Patterson was previously signed by the New England Patriots on May 8, 2015, and subsequently waived on June 9, 2015.
He’ll now look to earn a spot on the Colts as additional cornerback depth, but faces an uphill battle with Vontae Davis, Greg Toler, Darius Butler, and even 3rd round rookie D’Joun Smith already in the fold at the position, as there may only be another spot or two available.
Either way, he still will have an opportunity to make an impression on coaches and stake his claim at making the team’s 53-man roster.
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