If the Minnesota Vikings don’t trust Jalen Nailor with WR3 duty in 2025, the team could upgrade this offseason in free agency, which is two weeks away, or the NFL draft in April.
Vikings Named Free Agent Fit for Speedy WR
And according to CBS Sports, free agency could be the best route for Minnesota, perhaps veteran wideout Hollywood Brown, who played for the Super Bowl runner-up Kansas City Chiefs last season.
“Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown was supposed to help the Chiefs stretch the field deep with Patrick Mahomes, but a preseason injury that required surgery involving one of his shoulder joints sidelined him until Week 16,” CBS Sports‘ Garrett Podell wrote about Brown’s impending free agency.
“He probably makes the most sense on another one-year, prove-it deal, but at the age of 28, he still might have some big-play juice still in him. That’s why a Chiefs return or a move to another team with a high-powered offense to where Brown could be a nice complementary piece makes the most sense.”
Minnesota tentatively has Nailor lined up for WR3 responsibilities once again in 2025, but an upgrade cannot be ruled out. Nailor tabulated 414 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns last year, a relatively small WR3 stat line, all things considered.
Podell then projected Brown’s market value between $6 and $13 million per season while naming the Vikings, Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Rams as possible landing spots for the 27-year-old.
Here’s Brown’s destination resume through six seasons:
- Baltimore Ravens (2019–2021)
- Arizona Cardinals (2022–2023)
- Kansas City Chiefs (2024–present)
Brown is mostly known for speed, speed, and more speed. He ran a blazing 4.27 forty at his Pro Day in 2019, translating to the 25th overall draft selection by the Ravens six years ago.
He was at the peak of his powers in 2021, tallying 91 receptions for 1,008 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. Brown has not crossed the 1,000-yard barrier since, and in fact, his career took a sharp downturn after the 2021 campaign, dealing with various injuries.
If Minnesota wants to upgrade WR3 but doesn’t fancy Brown, other keynote pass-catchers, including Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, Darius Slayton, and perhaps Cooper Kupp, will be available.
The Vikings have about $63 million to spend on free agency in two weeks.
Brown will turn 28 this summer.
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.