What can Sharpe add to the Vikings?
Oddly enough, Tajae Sharpe’s very first game in the NFL came against the Vikings in a Week 1 matchup back in 2016. He ended up snagging seven passes for 76 yards and his career in the league seemed to be heading in a great direction.
As a rookie with Tennessee in 2016, Sharpe was on the field for 74 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and he finished the year with 41 catches for 522 yards and two touchdowns. It was a solid rookie performance for a guy who was drafted in the fifth round.
Unfortunately, Sharpe hasn’t been able to match his rookie production in the three years since. He missed the entire 2017 season with a foot injury and in the last two years, he combined to accumulate just 51 catches for 645 yards and six touchdowns.
Despite his less than impressive numbers, Sharpe should be able to provide solid depth for Minnesota in 2020. There’s a small chance that he could emerge as the Vikings’ No. 2 receiver for next season, but he will likely end up as the third or fourth guy on the team’s depth chart.
Minnesota only signed Sharpe to a one-year deal worth $1 million, so it’s not like they’re risking a ton by bringing in the young receiver.
The Vikings don’t need him to come in and replace Stefon Diggs. Minnesota just wanted to add another weapon for Kirk Cousins and with just one drop in his last two seasons (out of 82 targets), Sharpe could end up becoming a reliable option for the quarterback.