Heading into 2019, one of the biggest question marks on the Vikings roster revolved around who was going to step up and claim the wide receiver three spots. The offense was tight end heavy with a lot of 12 and 13 personnel, but rookie wide receiver Bisi Johnson seemed to be the team’s favorite when putting out three or more receivers.
Johnson stepped up at times, but when Adam Thielen went down it was clear the Vikings were missing one of their key pieces. Stefon Diggs was the team’s best receiver in 2019, but he was underutilized at times.
The underutilization of Diggs was due to the run-heavy style that Kevin Stefanski ran in 2019. Mike Zimmer has made it clear that he wants to be able to run the football, but that shouldn’t negate from what the Vikings could have in the passing game.
Heading into 2020, the Vikings already have one of the league’s best pass-catching duos in Diggs and Thielen. On top of the two great receivers, the team has multiple tight ends and one of the league’s best pass-catching running backs in Dalvin Cook.
Kirk Cousins has shown that he is one of the best at play-action passes, something that Kubiak will more than likely use to his advantage in 2020. The addition of one more playmaker on the Vikings offense would make it hard for opposing defenses to key in on just one of the Vikings stars.
The exciting part about needing a wide receiver in 2020 is how deep the class is coming in from the college level. That should be perfect for the Vikings, not only because they need to address other issues in the earlier rounds of the draft, but they also haven’t had the best luck in recent years when drafting a receiver in the first round.
Even if the Vikings continue to be a run-heavy team, the addition of a better receiver would make it much more difficult on opposing defenses. If they decide to load the box, there would be an additional weapon for Cousins. If they decide to bring in a nickel package, the Vikings could simply give the ball to Cook and try to get him into space.
Names like CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III are projected to be gone by the time the Vikings even get on the clock in the first round, but that isn’t when they should take a shot on their next playmaker. There are numerous talented guys that could be there for the Vikings on day two that could come in on day one and be the number three receiver. Here are a few players to keep an eye on at the combine, pro days and eventually the NFL Draft.
K.J. Halmer, Penn State
Halmer is a smaller receiver coming in around 5’9 176 pounds, but he showed during his time at Penn State that he has some big play ability. In 2019, Halmer caught 56 passes for 904 yards and eight touchdowns. He could come in on day one and stretch the field vertically for the Vikings.
Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
Vikings fans would go crazy over this pick, after watching Johnson be an elite receiver for the Gophers over the last two seasons. Johnson tallied 86 catches for 1,318 yards and 13 touchdowns with the Gophers in 2019, and showed how good he is with the ball in his hands after the catch. He wouldn’t bring a ton of speed to the Vikings roster, but he would bring great route running and a bigger body standing at 6’2 and just over 200 pounds.
Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
Aiyuk had a good senior season with Arizona State, hauling in 65 catches for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns. Todd McShay has said he has the potential of being a first-round pick, but with so much talent at the receiver position, there is a chance he could fall.
Justin Jefferson, LSU
Jefferson is coming off a National Title winning season where he caught 111 passes for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was the favorite of potential first overall pick Joe Burrow, and it is likely he will be a first or early second round pick. If he were to somehow fall to the Vikings in the second round, it might be too difficult to pass up on his talent.
Tee Higgins, Clemson
This pick would make a lot of sense for the Vikings, because they’d finally be getting a true outside receiver. Higgins would allow Diggs or Thielen to play from the slot more frequently, creating more mismatches all over the field. Higgins is 6’4, and he would be a great red zone target for Cousins.
Jalen Reagor, TCU
Another speed guy, Reagor would be another playmaker with the ability to take the top off of opposing defenses. His stat line wasn’t the best in college, but he was frequently getting open. Adding a guy with his speed to the Vikings roster, and potentially a new punt returner could make sense for the Vikings if he is there in the second round.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan
Peoples-Jones is another guy coming out of college with not the greatest numbers, but he played in a Michigan offense that struggled in the passing game. He will more than likely be available in the mid-rounds, and still has the talent to make an impact on the Vikings offense on day one.
There are numerous options out there for the Vikings at the receiver position, but finding one in the draft makes the most sense. Bisi Johnson would be a great depth piece, and would be able to bring fresh legs on the field throughout the season. Even if the Vikings want to continue to be a run first team, the addition of another playmaker is needed if they want to take the next step forward.