Vikings free agency 2017: What wide receivers are available?
By Adam Patrick
DeSean Jackson
- 30-years-old
- 5-foot-10, 178 pounds
2016 stats (in 15 games with the Washington Redskins):
- 56 catches
- 1,005 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns
If they can add him for a decent price, Jackson could be an interesting option for Minnesota to consider. But that is only if the Vikings intend to use him in their offense like the Philadelphia Eagles did and not how the Redskins did.
During his final two years with the Eagles (2012-2013), 37 percent of Jackson’s receiving yards were gained after the catch. However, in his last two seasons with Washington, in which he was used as more of a deep threat in the offense, only 29 percent of his receiving yards were accumulated after he caught the ball.
The type of offense that Minnesota runs is one that seems to better suit Jackson’s abilities than the system he was used in with the Redskins. Yes they are both West Coast schemes, but there is a reason why Washington averaged 57 more passing yards than the Vikings in 2016.
Another interesting piece of info to note would be that Jackson’s most productive season during his nine years in the NFL just so happened to come when current Minnesota offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur was coaching the offense in 2013 with Philadelphia.