Free Agency or Draft: How should the Vikings fill their needs in 2021?
By Nik Edlund
Wide Receiver
How the Vikings should fill this need: Free Agency
An underrated need for the Vikings this year is at the wide receiver position. They are set at the top with Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, but the depth behind these two is questionable.
Bisi Johnson took a step backward in year two and Chad Beebe didn’t bring a whole lot to the table as the slot receiver. Minnesota must add better depth just in case Thielen or Jefferson goes down for a stretch of time with an injury next season.
While the Vikings could look to draft a wide receiver this year, and they will be especially tempted to do just that if Jaylen Waddle or Devonta Smith is on the board at pick No. 14, they really should address this need through free agency.
Minnesota can’t expect another rookie to come in and have the sort of impact that Jefferson did in 2020. His rookie season was rare and the chance of the front office catching lightning in a bottle in back-to-back drafts is unlikely.
A veteran free agent who has experience facing NFL coverages will give the Vikings’ offense the best chance to continue to hum if Thielen or Jefferson suffers an injury.
There are plenty of affordable options on the free-agent market this year, but one who is especially intriguing is Keelan Cole. Cole has been an underrated player for his entire career, but he managed to rack up 159 receptions for 2,242 yards with 12 touchdowns.
Cole worked with new Vikings wide receiver coach Keenan McCardell when the two were both with the Jacksonville Jaguars and he could come in and line up on the outside. This would allow Jefferson to work from the slot more, where he would be a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses.
While an exciting rookie receiver at pick No. 14 is a tantalizing thought, Minnesota would be better off taking the free agency route to upgrade their wide receiver corps for the upcoming season.