The Sneaky Vikings Offseason Need That Must Be Addressed
The Minnesota Vikings offseason will begin with a lot of questions that must be answered.
Minnesota will enter 2024 without their starting QB under contract as well as needs at positions like outside linebacker with Marcus Davenport, Danielle Hunter, and D.J. Wonnum all entering free agency.
However, there is another sneaky offseason need that must be addressed at some point: wide receiver. This may seem like a silly position to list as a “need” for Minnesota, considering both Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson are on the team.
Let’s break things down, though.
The Vikings will enter the offseason with just three wide receivers from the current 53-man roster under contract for next season: Addison, Jefferson, and Jalen Nailor.
All of K.J. Osborn, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson, and N’Keal Harry are set to hit free agency this spring, severely cutting into Minnesota’s depth at the position. As a result, the Vikings will need to make some sort of move at the position in order to field a full room of receivers in 2024.
The Sneaky Vikings Offseason Need That Must Be Addressed
Of course, the Vikngs can go about fixing this need in a number of ways. They could re-sign those free agents to keep them around. Powell cost the Vikings just $1.2 million this year and has provided value both as a receiver and punt returner in 2023.
Osborn could be a bit more expensive given his larger potential on the offensive side of the ball, but for now, the Vikings have plenty of cap space and can find a way to keep the 2020 fifth-round pick around if they make it a priority.
Minnesota may also opt to bring in other free agents to fill out their WR room. Plenty of notable names are slated to enter free agency this spring, including Odell Beckham Jr., Tyler Boyd, Mike Evans, and Tee Higgins. Could the Vikings opt to splurge and give them a fearsome trio at the position? It can’t be entirely ruled out, considering the could spend a good chunk of 2024 without help from T.J. Hockenson at the tight end spot.
Or finally, the Vikings could take another wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft. While the class is headlined by names like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, there should be plenty of talent up and down the draft board once again.
Minnesota could opt to use their second-round pick this spring on someone like Brian Thomas out of LSU and get a freakish athlete at the position who can be a threat in the red zone.
At the end of the day, the Vikings have a number of different paths towards filling out their wide receiver room in 2024. They will need to pick one (or multiple), though, because a number of moves need to be made this offseason.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
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