Round 1
Jermaine Burton – WR (Alabama)
The recent surge of wide receivers signing expensive contracts has shifted the view of the position across the NFL. There was a run on wide receivers in this year’s draft which forced teams to trade up and get younger weapons that will be on a team-friendly deal for four or five seasons.
Minnesota is going to be going down the path of having to pay a superstar wide receiver over the next few offseasons with Justin Jefferson hitting his fifth-year option in 2025. We have already seen teams trade their star receivers for draft picks to avoid paying more than $25 million annually to a pass catcher.
If the Minnesota Vikings want to do the same, or if they simply want to add pieces for the future without Adam Thielen, they could be in the mix in 2023. Next year’s draft is full of talented wide receivers that could find their way to the middle of the first round.
The Vikings probably won’t be drafting high enough to land Jaxon Smith-Njibga but Jermaine Burton would be excellent value later in the first round.
Burton started his career at Georgia where he racked up 901 yards and eight touchdowns in two seasons before transferring to Alabama for the upcoming season. With eyes on him at Alabama next season, Burton should make some noise.
He has the size and speed to be a first-round player and a strong season in 2022 should firmly place him in the top 32 next April.
Honorable mentions: Jordan Addison, Kayshon Boutte