4 XFL standouts the Vikings should consider for 2020
By Luke Parrish
Nelson Spruce – WR (Los Angeles Wildcats)
Before we dig in, there are a handful of former Vikings wide receivers who are shining in the XFL so far. They have already had their chance with Minnesota though and I want to mention some new names. Jeff Badet and Nick Truesdell are playing well for their teams and they might make their way back to the Vikings one day, but let’s look elsewhere for now.
Nelson Spruce is going to be one of the hottest names out of the XFL this season. Coming out of Colorado in 2015, Spruce was somewhat of a touted prospect. His college career saw him accumulate 3,347 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns as a four-year starter.
Unfortunately, Spruce never stuck to an NFL roster and he found his way to the XFL. With the Wildcats, Spruce is on a tear. He has 17 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns thus far in the season.
He is Los Angeles quarterback Josh Johnson’s favorite target by a mile, leading the team in targets in both of their games. In Week 1, Spruce finished with 15 targets while nobody else on the team had more than six.
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The Vikings are still in search of a third wide receiver this year. Bisi Johnson flashed during his rookie season, but he is not much of a threat to the defense. Stefon Diggs has been rumored all over the place this offseason and it is still only February.
With limited draft capital, it may make sense for Minnesota to look elsewhere for help at the position. This is not my stance though. The Vikings should still dip into the draft’s deep wide receiver class and hope to find a steal. However, finding free agents might be easier and cheaper.