There is some interest by the Giants in Cordarrelle Patterson, one of the NFL’s best kickoff returners. He happens to be one of head coach Joe Judge’s favorite players, as they worked together (and won a Super Bowl) with the Patriots in 2018.

Prior to playing for the Bears in Week 2 last season, Judge gushed about Patterson.

“Patterson is one of the best to ever play the game as a kick returner,’’ Judge said. “Simply put, this guy is someone that you’ll read about in history books. When you play against this guy, everybody on the field better be aware of where he’s at, whether that’s offense or on special teams.’’

Patterson, 29, has eight career kickoff returns for touchdowns. That tied him with Joe Cribbs and Leon Washington for the NFL record. His career average on 240 kickoffs is 29.7 yards and he was right there, at 29.1 yards, on his 35 kickoff returns, in 2020.

Patterson has missed one game in his career. Judge is a former special teams coordinator and knows the value of a dangerous return man. Judge last season saw Dion Lewis average just 22.4 yards on 24 returns and Corey Ballentine average 21.2 yards on nine returns. C.J. Board, who was re-signed this week, averaged 27 yards on his two kickoff returns.

As a receiver, the 6-foot-2 Patterson can play a role on offense. He has 208 career receptions and last season caught 21 passes for 132 yards. Patterson can also line up as a running back, as he has a 6.1-yard career average on 1,017 rushing attempts. It is on special teams where he earns his keep, though, as a four-time Pro Bowl returner.