7 free-agent receivers the Vikings could sign in 2022
By Luke Parrish
Sammy Watkins
2021 Team: Baltimore Ravens
Ravens wide receiver Sammy Watkins has had quite the career up to this point. He was selected fourth overall by the Bills in 2014 but never played up to that level. He then spent a year with the Rams and three seasons with the Chiefs, where he got his NFL career back on track.
In 2021, Watkins signed with the Ravens to help boost their receiver room, but the results were far from great. He posted a career-low 394 yards and one touchdown in 13 games before hitting the free-agent market once again in 2022.
Those numbers were far too low for a player of Watkins’ caliber and they will likely factor into a much lower contract for him this time around. He picked up most of his $5 million last season as part of a signing bonus, which seems like a high number for him this spring.
Watkins is still very capable of being a tertiary option in an NFL offense, which was very clear during his time with the Chiefs. If the Vikings can bring him on a team-friendly deal, he could be a very solid backup that can add a speed element to the offense.
Minnesota is likely not going to have much money to spend on outside free agents this offseason. They have to be smart with their deals, just as they usually are, but adding to the passing game would be smart with Kevin O’Connell taking over as head coach.
Sammy Watkins is not a needle-mover by any means, but he is a guy that can be an impact player on offense, especially if injuries deplete the receiving corps in 2022.