Who will the Vikings replace Marcus Sherels with in 2019?

Draft Options

Parris Campbell – WR (Ohio State)

Campbell wowed teams with his 4.32 40-yard dash time at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. He did not return any punts at Ohio State, but he did return a total of 30 kicks. However, he does have the right traits to excel as a punt returner.

Campbell could also provide the Vikings with a better option to be their No. 3 receiver in 2019. At Ohio State last season, he hauled in 90 passes for 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The only downside is that he’s projected to be taken off the board within the first three rounds this year and Minnesota may not be willing to use such a high pick on a receiver.

Deebo Samuel – WR (South Carolina)

Samuel is someone the Vikings have actually met with this offseason, so there appears to be some interest in the prospect from the team.

Like Campbell, he doesn’t have a ton of experience as a punt returner, but he did do well returning kicks. In four years at South Carolina, Samuel returned 42 kicks and ran four of them all the way to the other side of the field for touchdowns.

He can also potentially step in and be Minnesota’s third receiver next season as he hauled in 11 touchdowns last season at South Carolina. Samuel is also expected to be drafted within the first three rounds this year, so the Vikings may not be able to land the receiver unless they use one of their first two selections on him.

Mecole Hardman – WR (Georgia)

Unlike Campbell and Samuel, Hardman actually has a bunch of experience as a punt returner. During his last two years at Georgia, he returned 39 punts for 592 yards (15.2 average) and one touchdown.

His receiving skills need a little more polishing, so his role in 2019 would like be primarily as a returner if he landed in Minnesota. Because of this though, the Vikings may be able to snag him in one of the later rounds of this year’s draft.