The Minnesota Vikings should still keep an eye on Hunter Renfrow to bolster their wide receiver corps, but they aren’t searching outside of their division at this point in the offseason.
As of May 23, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert claimed that the Vikings are happy to give their own contenders a shot to win the position, even though they still need a No. 3 wide receiver following the loss of K.J. Osborn, who signed with the New England Patriots in March.
“They only made a small entry into the free agency market when they signed journeyman Trent Sherfield to a contract that included a $1 million guarantee. Although there are hints that the Vikings wish to assess the status of their internal depth at the beginning of OTAs, Bill Barnwell of ESPN recently recommended that the team acquire free agency slot receiver Hunter Renfrow, according to Seifert.
Just two years after agreeing to a two-year, $32 million contract extension after his 2021 Pro Bowl performance, Renfrow, 28, was let go by the Las Vegas Raiders in March. That year, he caught 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns, but his output fell off a bit because of injuries, coaching changes, and changes at the quarterback position.
Although he is one of the best free agents out there, the Vikings don’t seem to be willing to give any real consideration to him for the No. 3 wide receiver role until they get a closer look at their own receivers.
Brandon Powell of the Vikings is thought to be the biggest breakout prospect.
The Vikings’ faith in seasoned wide receiver Brandon Powell is one of the reasons they haven’t thought to make a larger commitment in this position.
Powell, who had a career year in 2023, was expected by Seifert to be the greatest surprise of the season and end up as the No. 3 wide receiver.
On Wednesday, May 22, Seifert noted, “The Vikings’ base offense has been 11 personnel during the O’Connell era, which generally means three receivers.” “There is a clear need for a third player to join Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson in the receiving corps, unless O’Connell intends to drastically alter that strategy in his third season.
When Jefferson lost time due to a hamstring injury last season, Powell successfully filled in, and he has a good chance of earning a more regular position there in 2024.
Dark Horse Jalen Nailor to Take Over as Vikings WR 3
Jalen Nailor has always had the talent, but since wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell “pounded the table” for him in 2022, he hasn’t been allowed to see the field.
In the season’s last two games, Nailor showed off his rookie season by catching nine out of thirteen targets for 179 yards and a touchdown.
However, Nailor’s injury limited his participation in training camp the previous season. He also only saw one offensive action in the team’s opening two games before going down with a hamstring injury.
His total output for the 2023 season was three receptions for 29 yards in four additional games.
