5 most trusted pass-catchers for Vikings QB Kirk Cousins

By the numbers, Who are Kirk Cousins’ top five Minnesota Vikings pass-catching targets?

Foremost, this is not based on an eye-test or an assessment of which pass-catchers are most popular among Minnesota Vikings fans. This analysis is derived from the relationship quarterback Kirk Cousins has with Minnesota receivers on a per-target basis since he became the Vikings leader in 2018.

Also, Cousins has notoriously been deprived of a bonafide WR3 in the past two seasons, mainly because wideout Laquon Treadwell never materialized into a full-time or reliable asset at the wide receiver option. In that regard, the five men on this list will probably be fairly evident. The order in which they rank will likely surprise some. But that’s ok. That’s the kind of enlightenment analyses such as these wish to quantify.

This examination evaluates three key elements of pass-throwing and receiving: the number of yards gained per target, the percentage of touchdowns scored per target, and the ratio of first downs accrued per target. The three categories are then weighted and assessed to formulate this subsequent top five.

If all goes according to plan, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs will slide down this list as 2020 kicks off and rookie Justin Jefferson can eventually supplant the former Viking. Yet, we need to see if Jefferson’s performance will mirror the hype and excitement that he has thus far stirred.

Alas, these are Kirk Cousins’ favorite Minnesota Vikings targets by the numbers in ascending order.