The Vikings, as a franchise, have had a storied history of wide receiver play throughout the course of the league. Very truly, they have a claim to arguably the best receiver to ever play, Randy Moss, and a player who could be top five depending on the conversation, Cris Carter. With guys like Diggs, Thielen, and now Jefferson and Addison also in play, Minnesota’s receiving corps are always solid. However, with a spot at WR3 maybe opening, what will Minnesota do at receiver in free agency? Here are four free agent WRs Minnesota could acquire this offseason.
Resign Powell and Run it Back (w/ Nailor)
One of the easiest answers to this decision may already be in Minnesota in the form of undrafted receiver Brandon Powell, who was with the Vikings this last season. Powell had near nil expectations on him last year to do anything outside of return work. However, Powell made some waves and in the process had a career year, bringing in 29 catches for 324 yards and a touchdown. Now, at a glance, this may not be stuffing the stat sheet, however for those that watched the games, Powell was huge. Though his sample size was small, the journeyman made big catches when needed and looked comfortable when on the field. For a player with low to no expectations, to play in 17 games and start two… That’s solid work. As a whole, Powell would be a great keep to this receiver room (and the return room). Maybe the most likely scenario in this situation is the simplest. Resign Powell and run with a top four of Jefferson, Addison, Powell, and Nailor. To round it out, Minnesota drafts a rookie or two and the receivers now compete for WR3.
Grab the speedy Donovan Peoples-Jones
A trade deadline acquisition for the Lions, Donovan Peoples Jones (DPJ) was acquired to help add a deep-threat element to the Detroit offense. Enter Jameson Williams realizing how to play NFL football and DPJ never really got a chance. After a career year in 2022 with 61 receptions and 839 yards, DPJ had a suboptimal 2023. However, DPJ brings an element to the Minnesota offense that isn’t fully here yet: speed. Though Jefferson and Addison can stretch the field, they both wreak havoc on short and intermediate routes… And three wide receiver sets are a thing. The reality to free agent WRs is unless you’re breaking the bank, there’s always a knock on them. Whether age or injury or production or so on and so forth, there’s something. With DPJ, he hasn’t been consistently productive but has the tools to be a viable WR3 for the Vikings. Add in the element of speed, DPJ at just 24-years-old has great upside at a very reasonable price.
Ink Noah Brown to a multi-year contract
Though not a huge name, Noah Brown has had a very impressive two-year stint. First with Dallas in 2022 and then with Houston in 2023, Brown will likely sign a multi-year contract. The former Ohio State Buckeye didn’t do much in the NFL the first four years of his career, but has put up 1,122 yards, 76 receptions and 5 touchdowns the last two seasons. More impressively, Brown had a career year of 567 yards this last season… In just 10 games. Why Minnesota though? Brown as a whole is a bit of a jack of all trades player and one of the more interesting free agent WRs. He can line up inside or outside and is a good receiver, blocker, and special teams guy. For Minnesota, this would give them a bonafide WR3 who can step up if needed and take on larger roles. Though he won’t be expected to be a focal point, Brown may have the talent to do so. With guys like Higgins, Evans, Pittman, and Hollywood all slated to hit free agency, this under the radar signing might be a valuable addition that is one of the sneaky good deals.
Add Reliable Veteran Tyler Boyd to Play and Mentor
Up to this point, the average age of the receivers above is 26.5 years old, which is right around the age Kwesi likes to target. However, the longtime Bengal Tyler Boyd will head into his ninth season in 2024 and will, likely, be hitting 30 on a new team at the end of the year. That said, Boyd still has some left in the tank, even if he had statistically his worst professional season. During his tenure in Cincy, Boyd racked up 6,000 yards on the dot (impressive), 31 touchdowns, and a pair of 1,000 yard receiving seasons. Primarily working out of the slot, Boyd is best known for two things: his hands and his durability. Since 2019, Boyd missed only one game. Additionally, when the ball is thrown Boyd’s way, he seldom doesn’t come down with it. As a whole, yes he’s getting older. However, Boyd can play a valuable role not just as a player for the Vikings but as a mentor. With two young studs already on roster for 2024, Boyd’s veteran presence and mentorship could prove to be a valuable commodity for development’s sake. Though this signing may cost a bit more than other free agent WRs options on this list, he may provide more consistency and more value on and off the field.
