Vikings Labeled Perfect Spot for 2nd-Round WR
It’s unclear if the Minnesota Vikings will use 2nd-Round draft capital on a wide receiver after spending a 3rd-Rounder on Tai Felton last year, in addition to employing Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. But according to ESPN’s Benjamin Solak, if Minnesota splurges, Alabama’s Germie Bernard would be a great fit.
Minnesota could target Bernard if it wants a safer, ready-made WR3 type with room to climb.
Bernard ranks No. 55 on the Consensus Big Board, with the draft just three weeks out.
Bernard Brings Route Precision and Immediate Depth Appeal
Get to know Bernard from Alabama.
Solak: Vikings Make Sense for Bernard
Solak constructed an “All-Film” team this week, players who stand out strictly when evaluating footage. Bernard made the cut at wide receiver, with the Vikings receiving a mention as a landing spot.
He explained, “Bernard is unlikely to become a volume-dominant WR1 at the NFL level, nor will he fill the ever important WR2/WR3 role of big-play merchant. But for those teams that want to field three receivers, Bernard’s dirty work will maximize the wideouts who are in those roles. Because he has good hands and runs good routes, he still can punish defenses who forget about him.”
“Bernard led the Tide in receptions in each of the past two seasons — his only two with the team after transferring in from Washington — which speaks to his reliability and QB friendliness. Think about what Jauan Jennings has been for the 49ers over the past few seasons. That’s the sort of role Bernard can fill right away, with the potential to become a Jakobi Meyers-esque stick mover over time. Bernard to the Bears or Vikings on Day 2? Perfect fits.”
Draft attention for Minnesota at wide receiver has spiked in the last month after last year’s WR3, Jalen Nailor, left the team for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.
The Scouting Report
Bernard is 6’1″ and 200 pounds with 4.48 speed. He’s known for his route-running, hands, and deep-ball tracking. His long speed is middle of the road, and he must work on his contested-catch skill set.
NFL Draft Buzz‘s Wyatt Brooks on Bernard: “Bernard is the kind of receiver who is going to make a quarterback’s life easier from Day 1. He knows where to be, he knows when to be there, and he is going to come down with the football when it arrives.”
“That kind of trust and timing translates immediately to the pro level, especially on third downs and in the red zone where precision matters more than pure speed. His route-running toolkit is refined enough to win against man coverage despite modest athletic traits, and his feel for finding soft spots against zone is well beyond his years. He plays the game two steps ahead of what his body might suggest on paper.”
The Crimson Tide alumnus racked up 862 receiving yards last year on 64 catches, with 9 total touchdowns.
Bernard continued, “The best fit for Bernard is an offense that prioritizes the short-to-intermediate passing game and values receivers who can win from multiple alignments. His ability to operate inside and outside without missing a beat gives a play-caller flexibility in how they deploy him, and his willingness to put his nose in there as a run blocker adds a dimension that a lot of similarly skilled receivers simply will not give you.”
“A scheme that moves him around, uses option routes, and asks him to read coverages on the fly will get the most out of his football intelligence. West Coast principles, RPO-heavy attacks, or any system that features timing and anticipation throws will suit him well.”
Vikings May Need Another WR if They Don’t Trust Felton
Less than one year ago, the Vikings drafted Felton from Maryland in the 3rd Round, a spot in the draft where a man should reasonably expect to contribute sooner rather than later. Instead, Felton barely played on offense as a rookie, involved in special teams, but that was about it.
And after Jefferson and Addison on the depth chart, there is no other WR3 contender, aside from Felton, making a pick like Bernard easier to understand. Selecting Bernard or one of his mid-round peers probably boils down to whether the Vikings planned for a Felton redshirt year in 2025 or if he’s just a wasted draft pick by ex-boss Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
The Other Day 2 WR Options
Pretend for a moment that Minnesota does not envision Felton as the WR3 in 2026 or beyond, and Bernard doesn’t move the needle for the front office. These are the rest of the Day 2 (Rounds 2 and 3) options at wide receiver per the Consensus Big Board:
- Chris Brazzell — WR, Tennessee
- Chris Bell — WR, Louisville
- Germie Bernard — WR, Alabama
- Antonio Williams — WR, Clemson
- Zachariah Branch — WR, Georgia
- Malachi Fields — WR, Notre Dame
- Elijah Sarratt — WR, Indiana
- Ted Hurst — WR, Georgia State
- Skyler Bell — WR, UConn
- Bryce Lance — WR, North Dakota State
- Deion Burks — WR, Oklahoma
It’s worth noting that Minnesota recently met with Hurst from Georgia State.
On Bernard, he’ll turn 23 in December.
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