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The Minnesota Vikings have continued to stay active more than three weeks into NFL free agency. Recently the team signed offensive linemen Josh Kline, Brett Jones and Dakota Dozier. Also brought in were former AAF defensive backs Derron Smith and Duke Thomas. Today, news broke that they will be signing free agent quarterback Sean Mannion. Still, the Vikings may not be done adding players.
According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Vikings plan to meet with former Denver Broncos wide receiver Jordan Taylor on Monday.
Taylor (6-5, 210) is a 27 year-old receiver with two years of NFL experience. After playing college football at Rice, Taylor signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent. He remained on the practice squad his rookie season. In 2016 he made the team’s 53-man roster. Coincidentally, he caught his first professional touchdown pass from former Vikings quarterback Trevor Siemian.
Between 2016 and 2017 he started two games, hauling in 29 catches for 351 yards and two touchdowns. Before the 2018 season he was placed on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list after undergoing surgery on both of his hips. He did not play last year due to the operations but is expected to be fully healthy for the upcoming season.
According to Broncos Wire, Taylor earned the nickname “Sunshine” to his long, flowing hair. He became a fan favorite in Denver due to his impressive catches in training camp as well as being a “personal receiver” of Peyton Manning during his rehab prior to the team’s Super Bowl run in 2015.
There are clearly no issues with the Vikings’ starting receivers. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs are two of the best in the business, but beyond that there are uncertainties. Laquon Treadwell hasn’t lived up to expectations and Chad Beebe is coming off a season riddled with injuries. Jeff Badet will try to make an impact after spending last season on the practice squad while Brandon Zylstra is still unproven. Aldrick Robinson still remains a free agent.
Taylor would be the tallest receiver on the roster if signed by the Vikings. According to his NFL.com draft profile he ran a 4.5 40-yard dash at the 2015 NFL Combine and registered a 36.5-inch vertical. He put up nine reps on the bench press.
According to Wilson, Taylor also plans to visit with the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday.
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Taylor's hips had surgery & you expect him to be 100% as your #3 receiver. Get outta here! Just wasting CAP money on players that are not going to make contributions we need.