Vikings Free Agency Continues with Arrival of New Wide Receiver
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has already signed many new players, especially the group on the defensive side of the ball will be loaded with many new faces. The main decision maker continued his active offseason approach on Thursday. Jerry Tillery will provide some much-needed help on the defensive line.
Vikings Free Agency Continues with Arrival of New Wide Receiver
The former first-round pick is likely the best pass-rusher the Vikings employ on the defensive line and will help the team create some more pressure from the interior.
Adofo-Mensah made another move on Thursday when he added veteran receiver Trent Sherfield to the WR group. The team announced his arrival.
Sherfield just turned 28 and has been in the league for six seasons. The 6’0″ receiver went undrafted in 2018 and began his career as a UDFA in Arizona and he immediately made the team. He also contributed on offense and as a special teams player, recording 210 receiving yards. It was his most productive season in Arizona, he only tabulated 130 receiving yards in the following two seasons combined.
As a free agent in 2021, Sherfield moved to San Francisco. A solid preseason outing once again earned him a spot on the team and he caught nine passes for 87 yards. He signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2022 where he had his statistically best season, recording 30 receptions for 417 yards and two touchdowns — all career highs. Last season, Sherfield played in Buffalo’s offense led by Josh Allen and contributed 11 catches.
Throughout his career, Sherfield has been a depth receiver. In six seasons, he has caught 78 passes for 930 yards and five touchdowns. His resume makes an increased role in the passing game unlikely but there’s an added wrinkle.
Sherfield is viewed as a good special teams player and as an excellent run blocker. There’s a reason why a player with those numbers continues to be employed every single season and that’s how he has carved out a nice career, playing almost 2,000 snaps on offense and 1,031 on special teams.
The Atheltic’s Alec Lewis emphasized those underrated skills on X: “Why would the Vikings sign Trent Sherfield? In 2022, among all WRs who blocked at least 150 times in the run game, Sherfield had the highest grade, according to PFF. A special teamer. Willing to get dirty. MIN needs these qualities on O.”
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell previously worked on Sean McVay’s coaching staff and a big part of McVay’s offensive philosophy is the focus on employing WRs who are strong run blockers. Cooper Kupp is famous for two things: putting up huge numbers and locking down perimeter players, and sometimes even linebackers and defensive ends, in the running game. Last year’s sensational rookie Puka Nacua also showed those qualities.
The Vikings roster nine wide receivers. Of course, the two top players are Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Behind those two, there will be competition for roster spots and playing time. Brandon Powell was recently re-signed and Jalen Nailor returns for a third season after injuries cost him the majority of his sophomore campaign. Trishton Jackson, Daylen Baldwin, N’Keal Harry, and Thayer Thomas are the four remaining wideouts.
Minnesota could always add another WR in free agency and the draft. Sherfield is a player who doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet but his teammates surely appreciate his contributions.
It is a one-year, $1.79 million deal.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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