Let’s make this clear: the Minnesota Vikings certainly don’t necessity a major standout receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft. Well, at least not in the 1st Round with team 14º choose.
Still, few people associated with the team or his fans would hesitate to pair Justin Jefferson with another high-octane player for future planning. Adam Thielen will be 31 years old before the start of the 2021 season, so his production, in theory, could drop at any time. The Minnesota ex-student has incredible hands, and that bodes well for the continuation of his career. And it should be noted that Thielen’s statistical output has not started to drop – he is even becoming more prolific in scoring touchdowns. Thielen has scored 20 goals in his last 25 games.
Ideally, Vikings would unite the best player available conviction with need for team escalation on the night of the project. Only a few players on the board [as of early April] do this, however. Rashawn Slater, a lineman from Northwestern, and perhaps Kwity Paye, an EDGE rusher from Michigan, are examples.
In the end, however, a flashy wide receiver can be very irresistible – especially if five quarterbacks fly off the board on draft night, according to current experts’ consensus.
The 1st-Round option
Unnamed teams the Vikings extending your draft boards to quarterbacks is a glory for draft night as far as Minnesota is concerned. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is under contract – at a high price – until 2022. The temptation to write his replacement is low.
But if other teams are looking for a Mac Jones type, the Vikings will salivate over the initial events of the draft on April 29.º. Players like DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Rashawn Slater or even Kyle Pitts may fall as a result.
Regarding the mentioned names and the notion that their names can run down the board, the possibility is always greeted with a feeling of “there is no way he can fall so much”. Not everything of the men mentioned above will be lonely at the start of the enlistment night. But strange things happen during a draft. Daniel Jones was not supposed to go to the New York Giants in the Top 10 during the 2019 draft. Henry Ruggs shouldn’t have been chosen first in 2020 – but he was.
Although the odds are slim, a player like DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle may fall for Vikings. Without a real WR3, Roger Goodell could announce one of those names for Minnesota.
3rd Round or Later
A more plausible reality: Vikings choose a WR3 in 3rd Draft round or later. Coach Mike Zimmer famously gives up on a star-studded WR3 in his attack. In the decisive year of 2021 for him, perhaps the team after the 1st Round.
Names declared then available: Marques Stevenson (Houston), Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State), Shi Smith (South Carolina), Sage Surratt (Wake Forest), Seth Williams (Auburn), Trevon Grimes (Florida), etc.
Otherwise, it is as it is
What is likely to happen: Minnesota commits to another year of Chad Beebe and Bisi Johnson as “good enough”. The receiving body as a whole in 2020 certainly did not fight. And soon, third-year tight end Irv Smith Jr. is set to take a robust next step with Kyle Rudolph now playing for the Giants.
If someone is not satisfied with that line of pass-catchers, remember that Dalvin Cook plays for the team – and he can catch the ball with the best of them.
Vikings haven’t announced a genuine WR3 in years. One’s last appearance was Jarius Wright, and that was in 2017. Laquon Treadwell was scheduled to fill the role, and his career never materialized. Hell, it was hypothesized to be WR1 when drafted with 23rd general choice in 2016. Fortunately, at the time of joining the league, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen were consolidating their status as stars in the league. This caused the emotional blow of Treadwell’s struggles to roll over the shoulders of Vikings enthusiasts.
In fact, Vikings need help on the offensive line – and probably a more electric defensive tip than Stephen Weatherly to start opposing Danielle Hunter. The team will certainly approach the offensive line issues as they see fit.
But also be prepared for something funky for shakedown if Smith or Waddle are appearing at No. 14.