Minnesota Vikings: Do they still need a #1 wide receiver?

The Minnesota Vikings made a big splash this offseason when they made a trade with the Miami Dolphins for wide receiver Mike Wallace. Although they released veteran pass catcher Greg Jennings, they still have quite a few young wide receivers that have shown a lot of promise over the last couple seasons.

In the past, the Vikings were seriously lacking for depth at wide receiver, but some smart drafting and wily trades have put the team in a position where they have highly talented players that are growing and developing in the squad’s Norv Turner led offense. To put things in perspective, here is a list of all the wide receivers that are currently listed on the roster on Vikings.com:

Here are the current wide receivers on the roster:

Mike Wallace

Sep 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) against the New England Patriots at TCF Bank Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Johnson

Cordarrelle Patterson

Jarius Wright

Adam Thielen

Stefon Diggs

Gavin Lutman

Jordan Leslie

Donte Foster

DaVaris Daniels

Isaac Fruechte

While several players on that list will be released or delegated to the practice squad, there is enough talent to think that Teddy Bridgewater will have plenty of decent options as passing targets.

However, Charlie Campbell over at WalterFootball.com thinks that when the 2016 NFL Draft rolls around that the team will be looking for an elite pass catching option in the first round. Here is what he said:

Rd. 1, Pk. 11 – Laquon Treadwell

“The Vikings traded for Mike Wallace, but it remains unclear if they have Teddy Bridgewater’s long-term No. 1. Minnesota could use a true lead receiver for its young quarterback to grow with. Treadwell (6-2, 229) had 48 receptions for 632 yards and five touchdowns in 2014 before an ugly knee injury ended his season. He is a natural receiver who causes a lot of mismatches. Treadwell was one of the top recruits in the nation, and as a freshman, he was immediately effective against SEC defensive backs. Treadwell caught 72 receptions for 608 yards with five scores in 2013.”

Treadwell could very well be a monster in the NFL, but I have a couple issues with this mock. First, I don’t believe that the Minnesota Vikings will be selecting at #11 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. And next, I don’t believe that the Vikings will pick a wide receiver in the first round unless an amazing talent falls to them wherever they end up selecting. Instead, I see the team looking to improve the pass rush or add a new starter at safety.

What do you guys think? Do the Minnesota Vikings still need a #1 wide receiver? Will they be drafting a pass catcher early in the 2016 NFL Draft? And do you feel that the team already has a #1 receiver on the team? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

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