6 biggest Vikings needs after the first wave of free agency in 2024

Vikings need No. 6

Wide receiver

When glancing at the depth chart, it's easy to think that the Minnesota Vikings are all set at wide receiver. When you have a player as talented as Justin Jefferson as well as Jordan Addison having a big year last year, depth can slip your mind.

Last year's No. 3 wide receiver, K.J. Osborn, signed with the New England Patriots. Thank goodness Minnesota was able to re-sign Brandon Powell this offseason to take over that third spot after a solid year for the Vikings last year.

Powell will also likely keep punt return duties since he held that job last year, which makes his post on Minnesota's roster even more valuable. However, past him on the depth chart are Jalen Nailor, Lucky Jackson, Malik Knowles, and Trent Sherfield.

Nailor has flashed in the past. Jackson and Knowles have seen playing time. But it never hurts to keep a flow of talent coming in at wide receiver to evaluate and develop in case you can find a diamond in the rough that slipped through the cracks.

Minnesota could go into the 2024 NFL season with some combination of those players but since tight end T.J. Hockenson might not be ready for the start of the season; Minnesota might want to prepare the offense with some high-potential or established pass-catchers for the new quarterback.

The Vikings could also make fans stop sweating by locking Justin Jefferson down on a massive extension to keep him in Minnesota for many years to come. Getting that done would keep the floor extremely high even if depth at the position isn't always the best.

It wouldn't be shocking to see the Minnesota Vikings use one of their Day 3 picks at the 2024 NFL Draft on a wide receiver to compete with the current crop of pass-catchers for a valuable spot on the roster.