Vikings Training Camp 2020: Previewing the wide receivers
By Chris Schad
The Rest
Tajae Sharpe
The Vikings signed Tajae Sharpe in free agency as more of a flier than someone with a guaranteed roster spot. Sharpe averaged just 1.42 yards per route run in 2019. But that number jumped to 2.18 yards when lined up in the slot, which would have ranked ninth in the NFL if he had the qualifying number of snaps. There’s a good chance that Sharpe winds up as this year’s version of Jordan Taylor, but there’s enough there to at least give him a look in camp.
Chad Beebe
Beebe’s NFL career so far has been all about bad luck. In 2018, he appeared poised to overtake Laquon Treadwell before suffering a hamstring injury that ended his season. Last year, he started to make some plays, but then he suffered a freak injury trying to make a block in Week 3. In his limited time on the field, five of his six career receptions have gone for first downs. However, 2020 will be his final chance to prove he can stay healthy enough to continue making those plays.
K.J. Osborn
The Vikings selected Osborne in the fifth round of this year’s NFL Draft, but their main intention is to use him as a punt returner. That being said, Osborn isn’t a slouch at receiver either as he averaged 16.8 yards per catch during his junior season at Buffalo. Osborne had to take less of a role as a grad transfer at Miami, but he’s a player that could be an intriguing project as Minnesota goes through camp.
Quartney Davis
Davis is considered to be one of the top UDFA receivers in this year’s class and at 6-foot-1 and 201 pounds, he has the size to be a factor in the slot. The problem is that he just didn’t put up major production during his time at Texas A&M. The potential loss of preseason games could hurt Davis’ chance to make the Vikings roster, but he’s a player that could make a name for himself during training camp.
Dan Chisena
Another UDFA to keep an eye on is Chisena, who recorded a blazing time of 4.32 seconds in the 40-yard dash during his pre-draft workouts. Speed is not something that automatically results in a good wide receiver, but teams are usually willing to take a flier and find out.
Must Read. 5 Vikings players who could break out in 2020. light
Like Davis, Chisena may not have the benefit of preseason games to make an impression. But he’s another player that could be a surprise during camp.