Vikings need to focus on wide receivers in the 2020 NFL Draft 

The Vikings need to look at the wide receiver position in this draft class. Here are some of their options.

The 2020 NFL Draft is still scheduled to take place April 23-25, giving NFL fans something to look forward to with all that’s going on. The Vikings still haven’t made a ton of splashes in free agency, but they did land a new wide receiver. 

Tajae Sharpe is reportedly joining the Vikings roster. He can make an immediate impact, but he is not going to be able to replace Stefon Diggs. Instead of being a speedy guy that is able to take the top off the defense, Sharpe will more than likely be utilized as a third-down option for Kirk Cousins. 

Though he isn’t the fastest receiver, Sharpe will bring consistent hands with him to Minnesota. He’s a bigger-bodied wide receiver that can find the soft spots in zone coverage. 

Sharpe can be an option for Cousins in 2020, but the Vikings still need to take a deep look at the wide receiver position in this draft class. Many analysts are saying this is the year to draft a receiver, due to the class being so loaded with talent. Diggs was a fifth-round draft pick for the Vikings in 2015, and there is a legitimate chance of finding similar talent in later rounds this year.

Having said that, the Vikings should be willing to take a wide receiver at any point in this draft. If one of the bigger names — such as Ceedee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs or Justin Jefferson — are available at No. 22, the Vikings should consider taking a look at whomever is there. 

The Vikings haven’t had a ton of success in recent years when drafting a receiver in the first round. Laquon Treadwell and Troy Williamson are a couple of the names that jump out in recent memory, but the ghosts of past receivers taken too early should not haunt the Vikings in this draft class. 

It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Vikings select a receiver in the first round even if the top four go before their 22nd pick. Names such as Denzel Mims, Laviska Shenault, Jalen Reagor, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Brandon Aiuk, K.J. Hamler and Tee Higgins wrap up the next tier in this position group. 

All of these picks would be looked at as a big upgrade to what the Vikings currently have on their roster. Bisi Johnson, Chad Beebe and Sharpe will likely be battling for the WR3 spot, as any of these receivers would likely be able to come in on day one and be considered the No. 2 receiver. 

Even if the Vikings decide to wait until day two of the draft to pick up a receiver, some of these names could easily still be available. It is important to remember that Rick Spielman has 12 total draft picks, giving him the option of moving around in the draft. If the Vikings opt to not take a receiver on day one, he could potentially move up and get a talented receiver in round two. Just to put things into perspective, Michael Thomas was a day two pick after watching Laquon Treadwell and Josh Docton get selected in the first round. 

The Vikings have done a phenomenal job in recent years at finding receiver talent later on in the draft. Adam Thielen was undrafted, Diggs was a fifth-round pick and Bisi Johnson was taken in the seventh round in last year’s draft. They have proven that they can find talent in later rounds, so being able to pair up an early round selection with another receiver later in the draft would be big for the Vikings receiving core. 

A few names to watch out for in the middle to later rounds are Tyler Johnson, Van Jefferson, Antonio Gandy-Golden, Quintez Cephus and Isaiah Coulter. Pairing up at least two receivers from this draft class with Thielen, Sharpe and Johsnon could help fill the hole left by the Diggs departure. 

The Vikings are going to have to fill a few holes in the 2020 draft. They need help on the offensive line, defensive line and in the secondary as well as at the receiver position. There is still time for free agency additions and or trades, but the receiving core needs to be a top priority for the Vikings heading into the draft.