Minnesota Is Best Fit for Rookie WR
Adam New
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The Minnesota Vikings drafting a wide receiver to partner with Justin Jefferson is an opinion that continues to gather steam.
Indeed, wide receiver and cornerback are the most popular choices at this stage, before any moves have been made in free agency. According to The Draft Network, Minnesota is the best fit for a rookie wide receiver.
Don’t expect the Vikings to spend big on a receiver in free agency. Drafting one to play on a rookie contract with Jefferson’s huge payday coming just makes sense. At some point in the draft, the Vikings will pull the trigger on a WR who, at the very least, they believe has the potential to be a WR2.
Minnesota Is Best Fit for Rookie WR
Minnesota is named as one of four teams as an ideal destination for UNC’s Josh Downs. The other three teams mentioned are the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs. General consensus amongst the draft analysts is that Downs is an early second-round talent, however, NFL teams often have their own ideas. Is the Tarheel an option for the Vikings at No. 23?
Firstly, the Patriots pick before the Vikings, so will they take Downs in the first? New England is scheduled to pick at 14, which would seem a reach for Downs. They will have better options available. Of course, they could trade back, but selecting Downs with their second-round pick, if he’s available, is more likely.
The Browns don’t have a first-round pick due to their trade with the Houston Texans for quarterback Deshaun Watson. They pick first in Round 2 with the 42nd overall pick, which puts them right in the mix. As Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs are picking last in the first round, and that could also be right in the range to take Downs.
We don’t know how the board will fall on draft day or what the Vikings front office have in mind. However, if they want a wide receiver, and the top 3 players — Quentin Johnston, Jordan Addison, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba — are off the board, the Vikings could trade back and recoup a second-round pick and pick from the next group of wide receivers. That group includes Downs and the likes of Zay Flowers and Jalin Hyatt.
What Would Downs Bring to Minnesota?
If the Vikings do select the UNC wide receiver, what would they be getting? When choosing Minnesota as a best fit, TDN had this to say:
Adding a talent like Downs opposite of Justin Jefferson would give coordinators fits for years to come. Unique in the fact that smaller weapons are often labeled as ‘gadget’ guys, Downs can play the ‘X’ if need be at 5-foot-10 and is someone that reminds me of Jahan Dotson coming out of Penn State. The way he tempos and embarrasses corners at the top of routes would present Kirk Cousins another elite talent to pepper with targets.
Ryan Fowler | The Draft Network
Downs is an outstanding athlete who offers flexibility. Although some have pigeonholed him as a slot receiver — remind you of anyone? — he can certainly be more than that. He doesn’t have the typical size wanted by some, but DeVonta Smith has proved smaller guys can be successful two seasons into his career in Philadelphia.
Downs also showcases toughness when he plays, with a surprising 72% success state on contested catches. He finished his college career with back-to-back 1000-yard seasons, playing with different quarterbacks. He can pick up where he left off in the NFL, and an offense like the Vikings and an accurate passer like Kirk Cousins would certainly allow him to do that.
That’s what makes Minnesota the best fit for Josh Downs.
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