4 receivers that would pair nicely with Justin Jefferson in 2022
By Luke Parrish
Christian Kirk (Arizona Cardinals)
Staying in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings could hope to pry an impending free agent from a playoff team. Christian Kirk, the young and exciting playmaker of the Arizona Cardinals, is set to become a free agent after the season. His marker should be robust given his age and upside.
Kirk is coming off the best season of his career, posting 77 catches (103 targets), 982 yards, and five touchdowns. It was also the first time that Christian Kirk played in every game during the season.
Arizona has some aging wide receivers in DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green but they have also added plenty of youth to the group. Rondale Moore was a second-round selection in 2021 and Antoine Wesley broke out at the end of the season in an expanded role.
If the Cardinals cannot retain Kirk in free agency, the Vikings should be one of many suitors to kick the tires on the fourth-year wideout. He showed the ability to be a go-to receiver in 2021 while being a consistent contributor in the offense.
Kirk had six games of at least 75 receiving yards and also saw at least eight targets in seven different games for the Cardinals in 2021. As his role got larger, so did his production. He can be a very reliable secondary option for the Vikings next to Justin Jefferson.
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There are a handful of older veterans that would make sense for the Minnesota Vikings, including Miami’s Will Fuller and Indianapolis’ T.Y. Hilton. Those would be excellent pickups for 2022 but the long-term fix is out of the question with both options.