Vikings Reportedly Wanted to Trade Up In Draft, Take Jaelen Strong

The Vikings may eventually be very happy with Stefon Diggs, the wide receiver they took in the fifth round of this year’s draft. But according to reports, Diggs was not the receiver Minnesota originally had its eye on.

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Darren Wolfson today reveals that Minnesota really wanted to draft Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong, but were unable to move up in the third round and make the pick, forcing them to settle for Diggs in the later round.

Strong was ultimately taken by the Houston Texans, who traded up with the New York Jets in order to grab the talented ASU product.

It’s interesting that the Vikings would target Strong, a player who is not as polished as some other receivers in the draft, but who offers a more intriguing size-speed combination.

Though Diggs is himself a talented receiver, he is not as long as Jaelen Strong. Neither player has what you would call burner speed, but Strong is probably a bit faster than Diggs.

That the Vikings would target Strong in the third round and even be willing to trade up for him suggests there may be a certain lack of optimism in Winter Park about the future prospects of Cordarrelle Patterson, a player who has worlds of talent but frustrated coaches last year when he failed to learn the playbook.

Stefon Diggs is himself a player who has certain skills in common with Patterson, including open field elusiveness and kick return ability.

The Vikings’ aggressive if ultimately fruitless targeting of Strong, and their ultimate pick-up of Diggs, leads us to the inevitable conclusion that the team is not counting on Cordarrelle Patterson to give them much of anything this year. Patterson’s days with the Vikings could very well be numbered.

Next: Zimmer Has Already Threatened to Maim Danielle Hunter

Vikings Reportedly Wanted to Trade Up In Draft, Take Jaelen Strong

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