5 options to be the Minnesota Vikings’ 2019 punt returner

Jeff Badet – WR

Jeff Badet hasn’t been able to crack the Vikings’ roster as a receiver yet, but using him at punt returner may be another way to get the speedster on the field in 2019.

Badet recorded a 4.39 40-yard dash time coming out of Oklahoma and while he’s struggled with the physicality of the receiver position at the NFL level, he might be able to use his explosiveness in a different way as a returner.

In fact, putting Badet as a punt returner may be the only way to get on the roster. Minnesota already has a strong receiver duo in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen at the top of their depth chart. But the rest of the unit is a log jam with Laquon Treadwell, Brandon Zylstra, Beebe, and 2019 seventh-round draft picks Olabisi Johnson and Dillon Mitchell.

Badet has always impressed in shorts out on the practice field. But giving him a shot at punt returner may give him the opportunity to continue impressing once he puts the pads on.