Vikings Rumored to Be Eyeing Next Roster Move
Unexpectedly, the wide receiver spot on the Minnesota Vikings’ depth chart has gained ample attention in the last two weeks.
Rumors are swirling that the Minnesota Vikings could be preparing their next roster move, with speculation centering on potential help on offense.
Fans have lined up to endorse the addition of one more pass-catcher, and per the grapevine, the purple team might just listen.
There’s growing momentum to suggest general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will onboard one more weapon for quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
The WR Spot Has Captivated All Vikings Audiences
The consensus has begun to suggest that Minnesota will sign a wide receiver.
Two Prominent Pundits Won’t Rule Out WR Move for Vikings
As recently as three weeks ago, nobody anywhere voiced boisterous concerns about Minnesota’s WR corps. In fact, it was considered a roster strength. But recent injuries and suspensions have changed the narrative.
Now, the Vikings may do something about it.
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling joined KFAN on Tuesday and mentioned the WR need: “I think WR depth is a question … I would not be surprised if they look for additional help … there is a lot to figure out there.”
Not long after, on the same day, NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero got in on the fun. He echoed, “Jalen Nailor, assuming that he’s ok after his hand got banged up in that practice. Do they add a receiver at some point here? I could see that.”
And just like that, a WR need theory was confirmed. It’s no longer a fringe theory.
Why Minnesota May Need an Extra Wideout
The Vikings have this budding roster need for seven central reasons:
- Jordan Addison will be suspended to start the season and won’t return until Week 4. Minnesota is WR-lite out of the gate.
- Rondale Moore injured his knee in Preseason Game No. 1. He’s out for the year. Moore was on tap to play WR4 or WR5 this season.
- Jalen Nailor hurt his hand in joint practices last week against the New England Patriots. His prognosis is mysterious.
- The club’s WR4, who would be on tap for WR3 duty sans Addison in the lineup, is Lucky Jackson. Jackson has never played in a regular season game and played terribly in Preseason Game No. 2.
- Almost all of the rest of Minnesota’s WR options are unproven undrafted free agents or rookies.
- Minnesota has a vested interest in surrounding J.J. McCarthy with the utmost talent for his career debut — not UDFA dartboard throws.
- Justin Jefferson missed all of training camp with a hamstring tweak, although he’s projected to be ready for Week 1.
The Options from Free Agency
Which brings us to the who.
To be clear: NFL teams will trim their roster by over 40% in less than one week, flooding the market with dozens of wide receivers. Minnesota may have a player in mind who’s still employed at the moment.
If not, these men are currently available on the free-agent market, players Adofo-Mensah could sign after coffee this morning:
- Nelson Agholor
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- Tyler Boyd
- DJ Chark
- Amari Cooper
- Gabe Davis
- Deonte Harty
- Brandon Powell
Adofo-Mensah could sign one of those weapons — maybe even two — and call it good. Wide receiver anxiety vanquished.
The Would-Be Trade Targets
Far less likely, Minnesota could also donate a draft pick via trade for an insurance policy wideout. These players could be gettable via wheeling and dealing:
- Javon Baker (New England Patriots)
- Kayshon Boutte (New England Patriots)
- Kendrick Bourne (New England Patriots)
- Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins)
- Allen Lazard (New York Jets)
- Skyy Moore (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Ja’Lynn Polk (New England Patriots)
- Curtis Samuel (Buffalo Bills)
- Adam Thielen (Carolina Panthers)
- Jalen Tolbert (Dallas Cowboys)
One or two of the Patriots’ wideouts on the above list may be waived or released next week amid roster trimdowns.
DJ Chark Uplifted as an Option
The Atlanta Falcons released veteran wideout DJ Chark this week, and Vikings fans were quick to label him as an ideal target.
The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick noted on Chark and his connection to Minnesota WR coach Keenan McCardell, “If McCardell was able to help Chark reach his potential in 2019, perhaps he could do the same for the veteran wide receiver if he were to sign with Minnesota this year. In addition to the connection Chark has with the current Vikings receivers coach, he is also a former college teammate of Minnesota star pass-catcher Justin Jefferson.”
“Both attended LSU in 2017 when Chark was a senior and Jefferson was a freshman. So there’s definitely some familiarity there for the Vikings and the free-agent wide receiver that would make the adjustment period easier. Minnesota’s need for a receiver has increased during the last few days following the season-ending injury to Rondale Moore, Jordan Addison receiving a three-game suspension from the NFL, and Jalen Nailor injuring his hand in a recent practice.”
Chark would also be an affordable option for Minnesota.
“There aren’t exactly a ton of options to help the Vikings significantly improve the depth of their wide receiver group at this time of the year. But going out and making a move like adding Chark is something that is the type of low-risk, high-reward signing the Minnesota has made in the past under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah,” Patrick continued.
“Is it something that’s going to automatically solve the Vikings’ current receiver problem? No, but signing Chark is a decision that Adofo-Mensah and the rest of Minnesota’s front office should at least consider.”
It’s a wise bet to assume that the Vikings are waiting until roster cuts to examine the free-agent market. Otherwise, they might’ve signed one by now.
The cut deadline for all 32 teams is six days away.
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