Rumor Mill Links Popular WR to Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings spent zero picks on wide receivers during last week’s draft.
Rumor Mill Links Popular WR to Vikings
Minnesota’s non-participation at wide receiver was unexpected for a couple of reasons: a) The draft was stuffed to the gills with would-be WR3 types b) Minnesota arguably needs a WR3.
And with no rookie on tap to fill the WR3 job, one prominent Vikings-themed account used the X app to proliferate a new rumor this week — Minnesota’s alleged interest in Tyler Boyd.
Vikings Central tweeted Monday, two days after the draft, “Sources: Vikings and free agent WR Tyler Boyd have mutual interest and negotiations are ongoing. Minnesota didn’t select a pass catcher in the draft and are looking to add a reliable weapon to go along with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.”
VikingsTerritory‘s sources could not corroborate the team’s interest in Boyd, but if Vikings Central has the intel right, the relationship would make sense. Boyd is a top WR3 candidate in the NFL’s marketplace, along with men like Hunter Renfrow and DJ Chark.
As of April 30th, these are Minnesota’s 14 — yes, 14 — wideouts on the depth chart:
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Brandon Powell
WR4: Trent Sherfield
WR5: Jalen Nailor
WR6: Lucky Jackson
WR7: Malik Knowles
WR8: Thayer Thomas
WR9: Daylen Baldwin
WR10: Trishton Jackson
WR11: N’Keal Harry
WR12: Ty James
WR13: Jeshaun Jones
WR14: Devron Harper
Quantity obviously isn’t a problem, but that spot separating Jefferson and Addison from the bottom 12 is a little suspect. Adding Boyd would strengthen the WR3 spot and all but vanquish any summer WR3 debates among fans involving Powell, Sherfield, and Nailor.
One month ago, The Draft Network, too, suggested the Vikings as a landing spot for Boyd. TDN’s Justin Melo opined, “The best way to support a rookie signal caller is to ensure there are plenty of playmakers in place. Boyd, who is probably best suited as a third or fourth option nowadays, is also familiar with Kevin O’Connell’s offense after both O’Connell and Bengals head coach Zac Taylor worked under Sean McVay.”
Earlier this week, VikingsTerritory‘s Adam New theorized Boyd in purple as well: “After eight seasons in Cincinnati and amassing 6000 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns, Tyler Boyd is one of the best players still on the free-agent market. The 29-year-old former Bengal should have enough left in the tank to be a team’s WR3, working primarily out of the slot. K.J. Osborn vacated the role, and this hasn’t been appropriately addressed. Brandon Powell was re-signed, and Trent Sherfield was brought in, but they should be taking the WR4/5 roles. The Vikings need a genuine WR3, and Boyd fits the bill.”
Boyd has tabulated 513 career receptions for 6,000 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns in 120 games. He’s the quintessential WR3 and would fit like a piece to a puzzle in Minnesota’s 2024 offense.
Minnesota has about $17 million in cap space at the moment before signing its rookie class.
Boyd will turn 30 in November.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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