Vikings Training Camp 2021: Top 5 takeaways from Day 1
By Adam Carlson
Dede getting some work in
It didn’t take long for new Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Dede Westbrook to get some attention at training camp. However, what is most interesting about his work at camp wasn’t his route running, speed, or pass-catching.
Westbrook is in the final stages of recovering from an ACL injury that he suffered in Week 7 last season but that didn’t stop him from getting involved in workouts. He was spotted by Chris Tomasson on Twitter working with the special teams unit.
Last season, Westbrook averaged 11 yards per punt return with Jacksonville and has a career average of 9.8 yards per try. To put that in perspective, K.J. Osborn averaged 3.9 yards per return and Chad Beebe averaged 4.7 yards per return.
The fact that the team can have a potential wide receiver three and possibly double their punt return yardage from last year just by signing one player for less than $1.2M is quite the value and will likely make the decision to sign Westbrook look like a genius move this offseason.