Veteran running back Jaret Patterson is up next in our 90-in-90 series!
Basic Info
Height: 5’8
Weight: 195
College: Buffalo
Experience: 1
Years with team: 1
Chargers running back Jaret Patterson is a native of Glenn Dale, Maryland and played his prep football at St. Vincent Pallotti High School in the nearby town of Laurel.
Patterson was high school teammates with former second-overall draft pick Chase Young and, oddly enough as you’ll see later in this post, both ended up with the Washington Commanders as their
first stop in the NFL.
As a senior for St. Vincent Pallotti, Patterson rushing for 2,045 yards and 23 touchdowns. Despite that incredibly productive stat line, Patterson was only named an All-State Honorable Mention selection.
Jaret’s brother James was a higher-rated recruit in the state and the two chose to be a package deal on the recruiting front which meant when one committed to play at Buffalo, so did the other.
Both Patterson and his brother were grayshirted in their first year on campus before joining the team officially in 2018. That year, Patterson burst onto the scene with 1,013 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead the Bulls’ rushing attack. He was named the MAC Freshman of the Year and a Second-Team All-MAC selection.
Patterson broke multiple school records during the 2019 season by rushing for 1,799 yards an 19 touchdowns, both new program records. He also chipped in 13 receptions for 209 yards and another score.
During the 2020 season which was shortened due to the pandemic, Patterson only got the chance to play in six games but he still managed to top 1,000 yards with 1,072 and score a whopping 19 touchdowns once again. His season yardage total was buoyed by a massive 409-yard effort in which he fell short of the all-time Division I record by 18 yards. In that same season, Patterson also tied former Illinois running back Howard Griffith’s all-time NCAA single-game record with eight touchdowns. Following the season, Patterson was named the MAC’s offensive player of the year and MAC’s most valuable player.
After going unselected during the 2021 NFL Draft, Patterson signed a UDFA contract with the Washington Commanders. He played in 17 games as a rookie and earned one start. He ended his rookie season with 266 rushing yards, two touchdowns, 10 receptions, and 73 receiving yards. In 2022, Patterson spent most of the season on the practice squad before being activated for three games late in the season. He ended the year with just 78 yards rushing.
For the 2023 season, Patterson spit the year first with the Chargers and then the Commanders. When his free agent contract ended with Washington at the conclusion of the year, he signed back with the Chargers.
During the 2025 season, Patterson saw time on the active roster when injuries piled up at the position. He ended up rushing 41 times for 159 yards and a touchdown, his first since the 2022 season.
The Good
Had a VERY productive college career at Buffalo. Overcame size concerns and a two-star recruit rating to become one of the best running backs in program history.
Possesses burst to beat linebackers to the corner. Has a natural feel for running the football. Keeps his eyes up and always has a plan to pick through a defense.
Reliable receiver out of the backfield.
The Bad
Is not super compact in his build. Does not possess power to move piles.
Relies more on gut feeling then trusting the blocking in front of him which can come back to bite him.
Ran a 4.59 40 which does not paint him in a good light when it comes to breakaway speed. Did not break a ton of tackles. Will not be an asset on third down in pass protection.
2026 Outlook?
Patterson has been a very ideal depth piece for the Chargers over the last few seasons. When you have serious injuries hitting your co-starters, it’s nice to have a guy who with Patterson’s experience running the football. Normally when you’re down to your practice squad members at running back, you’re getting guys who should never really see the field if you could help it. With Patterson, you’ve got a guy who has played in his fair share of games and has been in the league for half a decade.
