The 3 worst decisions the Vikings can make in the 2022 NFL Draft

The Vikings cannot overlook the impending need at wide receiver

Minnesota is in an interesting spot with their wide receiver group heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. Obviously, Justin Jefferson is one of the premier players in the NFL, and Adam Thielen, when healthy, is the perfect compliment to the younger Jefferson.

While Thielen has signed a deal that leaves him on the payroll for a handful of years in the future, he is far from a staple of the roster moving beyond this season. Injuries and age have caught up to the standout pass catcher and his time in Minnesota is nearing its end.

K.J. Osborn took a massive leap after his rookie season and emerged as a reliable WR3 for the Minnesota Vikings last season. He made the most of his opportunity and placed himself comfortably on the roster for the 2022 campaign but his ceiling is yet to be determined. While I do think Osborn can make a career as a tertiary option, I don’t view him as a second choice.

With Thielen reaching his end, the Vikings have to consider wide receivers that can replace his production whenever possible. The first round may not be realistic, especially given the other needs on the roster, but there are plenty of Day 2 and Day 3 prospects that should be on Minnesota’s radar.

Jahan Dotson is a downfield burner with home run upside that could be had at the top of the second round if the Vikings want to get aggressive. They could also sit back and hope a player like David Bell or George Pickens falls into their lap.

Bell is an excellent contested-catch receiver that can dominate at the catch point while Pickens is more of a vertical threat with the upside of being the top wide receiver in this class. However, both players have unwelcoming injury histories that will probably force them down in the draft.

On Day 3, players such as Jalen Tolbert, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Khalil Shakur could be worthwhile investments if the Vikings want to add extra bodies to the receiving unit.

Regardless of how they feel about the upcoming season, the Minnesota Vikings will need to improve at wide receiver at some point in the near future and would be much better off if they addressed that spot early rather than too late.