Could Jamison Crowder Be an Option For the Vikings?
The Minnesota Vikings have had a very active offseason. They just signed cornerback Bashaud Breeland two days ago to add to their busy offseason, but they could still add more to the roster. Currently they are close to $10 million under the salary cap and could still use a defensive end and wide receiver. Among the wide receivers left on the market are Dede Westbrook, Golden Tate and Larry Fitzgerald. One possible name that could be on the market soon is Jamison Crowder.
Crowder has been skipping the New York Jets organized team activities (OTAs) due to contract reasons, and he could be asked to take a pay cut. If he does not accept, they could potentially release him. With his potential free agency, you have to wonder if the Vikings would be interested.
While they do have one of the best wide receiver duos in the league with Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, they could still use an upgrade at the third receiver spot. Olabisi Johnson and Chad Beebe did not quite cut it last season. They are number four receivers at best. Fifth-round draft pick Ihmir Smith-Marsette is unproven.
Kirk Cousins was Crowder’s quarterback from 2015-2017. The two connected for 12 touchdowns during that span. Crowder’s seven touchdowns and 847 yards in 2016 have been a career-high for him and his 67 receptions that year were the second highest (78 in 2019), so they did have some good chemistry together. Both players could very well love to be reunited.
Crowder was drafted in the fourth round (105th overall) in 2015 by Washington out of Duke. He spent his first four seasons in the Nation’s Capitol and has spent the past two seasons in the Big Apple with the Jets.
Crowder has also returned punts, which was a huge struggle for the Vikings last season. From 2015-2017 he returned 84 punts for 657 yards (7.82 average), including an 85-yard touchdown. The Vikings as a team only had 69 punt return yards last season. Even if Crowder would not be used as a punt returner, he would still be a huge upgrade at the third wide receiver spot.
This Vikings offense was ranked fourth overall in the league last season and their 26.9 points per game was 11th best. Adding Crowder would certainly help this offense, along with their offensive line improving (certainly cannot be worse).
General manager Rick Spielman and company have shown they are very well all in for 2021. This offseason is still not over by the way. Any additional moves the Vikings might make could very well make them Super Bowl contenders. Stay tuned.