6 players the Vikings should have drafted instead of Irv Smith Jr.

Terry McLaurin – WR

Ok, I swear. This is the last receiver on the list.

You may think this is overkill, but remember that getting a third wide receiver was a big need for the Vikings coming out of the 2018 season. The loss of Jarius Wright following 2017 hurt more than they thought, and while Treadwell was a bust, the Vikings were relying on Aldrick Robinson as a mid-season pickup to fill the role.

While Brown and Metcalf seem like hindsight picks, Terry McLaurin could have been just as valuable, considering what the Vikings needed at the time.

At age 24, McLaurin was at an advanced age and had limited production at Ohio State. But that wasn’t going to matter for what the Vikings needed. Taking McLaurin in the second round may have seemed like a reach, but he could have sat in the third role, improved as a receiver, and taken over when Diggs demanded a trade.

This wouldn’t have led to an immediate impact like the 919 yards he put up as a rookie, but he would have been ready to take off in 2020 and allow the Vikings to fill some of their other needs in that draft, such as cornerback or offensive line.

Again, Vikings fans should be extremely glad they have Jefferson. But compared to Smith, McLaurin would have been a selection that would have paid more dividends.