Even before trading Stefon Diggs on Monday, the Vikings needed help at wide receiver. Obviously, there’s even more urgency for Rick Spielman and Co. now.
The 2020 draft seems to be loaded with receivers. The free agency class? Not so much. Here are two under-the-radar candidates for the Vikings to sign, along with a player who could be a fit if it’s the right price.
Phillip Dorsett
Dorsett is never going to live up to being drafted in the first round of the 2015 draft.
But he was competent for the Patriots last season, catching 29 passes for 397 yards and a career-high five touchdowns.
Dorsett isn’t going to fill Diggs’ role, of course, but there’s more to worry about than just Diggs. The best receiver on this team after Adam Thielen is second-year player Bisi Johnson. Dorsett would be affordable and is a player who survived with the Patriots for three seasons, meaning he’s probably a pretty good pro. He’d be a good third options for this team.
Taylor Gabriel
Gabriel would be a fun slot receiver in Minnesota’s offense. He’s speedy and is just two years removed catching 67 passes for 688 yards . . . with Mitch Trubisky at quarterback. He also caught 72 percent of the passes thrown his way.
There’s a lot to like about this fit, and given what Gabriel would cost, this might be my favorite free-agent fit. He’s not a top-tier receiver, but there’s not one in this free-agency class.
Robby Anderson
Anderson is probably going to get overpaid this offseason. If he is, the Vikings shouldn’t be one of the teams going after him. But, if somehow the market isn’t so kind to the speedster, he’d be a solid option across from Thielen.
With a not-so-great group of Jets quarterbacks, Anderson still finished with 52 catches for 779 yards and five touchdowns last season.
Again, this is super unlikely. But, if the Vikings can get away without paying Anderson too much, I’d be in for this deal. Kirk Cousins probably would, too.