6 candidates to be the Vikings No. 3 wide receiver in 2021
By Adam Carlson
Jaelon Darden – North Texas (NFL Draft)
One of the most likely places for the Minnesota Vikings to find their future WR3 is the 2021 NFL Draft. While much of the focus of the pass-catchers on this draft is being placed on the big names and big-school prospects, some players are bound to slip through the cracks.
A great prospect for the Vikings to eye in the draft would be Jaelon Darden, a five-foot-nine and 174-pound receiver out of North Texas who could be a target for the squad in the third or fourth round of the draft.
Darden’s small school history and low level of competition might be a bit of a turn-off for some teams, but his last two years saw him haul in 150 catches for 1826 yards and 31 touchdowns in only 21 games played.
He clearly understands the importance of route running and can use his speed and acceleration to leave defenders in the dust off a tight cut. He is a machine when it comes to picking up yards after the catch, and could be a true threat to take it to the house when defenses key in on Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson.