Bleacher Report Renews Free Agent Idea for Vikings
Minnesota Vikings fans have all but given up on the idea, but Bleacher Report remains steadfast.
Bleacher Report Renews Free Agent Idea for Vikings
It’s the free-agent acquisition of wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who remains on the open market with the NFL’s regular season just 16 days away.
Because Vikings faithful didn’t know if wideout Jalen Nailor or Trishton Jackson would bust out this summer, folks clamored for a Vikings-Renfrow relationship in May, June, and July. However, when training camp got off the ground and the preseason began to play out, Nailor and Jackson appeared more than serviceable in WR3 or WR4 roles.
Still, this week, Bleacher Report called for Minnesota to sign Renfrow, a 29-year-old veteran. “The Vikings caught a case of the injury bug last week as wide receivers Jordan Addison and Thayer Thomas went down in Wednesday’s practice […] The offense could also use another potential third receiver, a role that Renfrow has experience filling,” BR’s scouting department opined.
If the season started today, the Vikings would likely showcase some or all of these wide receivers:
- Justin Jefferson
- Jordan Addison
- Jalen Nailor
- Brandon Powell
- Trishton Jackson
- Trent Sherfield
BR added, “The 2021 Pro Bowler hasn’t been the same since that season, but at this point, it might be worth it for the coaching staff to bring him in as a camp body at the least.”
Renfrow had 1,038 receiving yards in 2021, which wasn’t terribly long ago. The production has diminished since, but he has that volume gene in his DNA. Conveniently, Renfrow is a free agent, and many wonder why no team has taken the plunge for his services as a WR3 or WR4. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah selected zero wide receivers during the draft, even though the event was filled with promising WR3 types. That non-participation caused Vikings fans to ask for Renfrow in the last few months.
In May, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell predicted that Minnesota could sign Renfrow and explained, “The Raiders unsurprisingly cut Renfrow after the season. I wouldn’t expect him to land much more than a one-year deal for just over the minimum at this point of free agency, but at that price tag, taking a flier on the 28-year-old seems like a reasoned move. He also returned punts during his time with Vegas, which helps if he’s going to be a fourth or fifth wideout on game day.”
While Renfrow-to-Minnesota theories made sense in May, they don’t necessarily apply in August. When formulating a 53-man roster prediction for the Vikings — trimdowns occur in one week — it is tricky enough determining who to keep and cut.
Perhaps if an injury rocks the team’s WR room, Renfrow would make sense. Otherwise, the WR section of the depth chart is in decent shape.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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