Multiple signs point to Treylon Burks as possible WR3 for Vikings in 2024

At the top of the current Minnesota Vikings wide receiver depth chart, the first two spots are written in permanent marker, with Justin Jefferson as the team's WR1 and Jordan Addison as the WR2.

But after Jefferson and Addison is where the questions about the Vikings' receiver depth begin. Brandon Powell put up decent numbers last season as the team's WR4. Jalen Nailor is someone Minnesota wants to emerge as its WR3, but he just can't seem to get over the hump. And then, is there a more unknown option who could steal the role with an impressive training camp and preseason this summer?

Almost anything seems to currently be on the table for the Vikings when it comes to figuring out who will be the team's WR3 for next season, including possibly making a trade for a former first-round pick.

Why the Minnesota Vikings could attempt to trade for Tennessee Titans WR Treylon Burks before the 2024 season

If Minnesota's WR3 for the 2024 campaign isn't currently on its roster, then the team might turn to see who is available outside of the organization.

One possibility the Vikings could explore is making a low-risk trade for a receiver who still has a ceiling left to reach. Currently in the middle of preparing for his third season in the NFL, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks is someone who fits this description, and there are multiple reasons why Minnesota could look into trading for him before the start of the 2024 season.

1. Vikings current regime likes making low-risk, high-upside decisions

Prior to the start of the 2022 regular season, the Vikings made a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire former first-round draft pick Jalen Reagor for a pair of future Day 3 draft picks.

Reagor was a speedy wide receiver who was unable to live up to his expectations in Philadelphia, but Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah felt he was at least worth taking a chance on. The Vikings also did something similar last year when they added N'Keal Harry to their receiver room during the preseason, as he is also a former first-round pick.

At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Burks is someone who the Titans were hoping could come in and help replace veteran receiver A.J. Brown, who the team traded to the Eagles in 2022. But the young pass-catcher has only managed to haul in a total of 49 passes for 665 yards and one touchdown in 22 appearances with Tennessee.

Perhaps a change of scenery could be what he needs to reach his full potential.

If the Titans aren't looking for a lucrative return package in exchange for Burks, Minnesota could consider acquiring him this summer, as he definitely shares similar traits with players the team has added to its roster since Adofo-Mensah arrived in 2022.

2. GM connection between Vikings and Titans could make trade easier to complete

Adofo-Mensah and Tennessee general manager Ran Carthon are very familiar with one another, as they worked together in the past when they were both members of the San Francisco 49ers front office.

Given the relationship these two were able to build during their time together with the 49ers, it might make it a little easier for the two sides to agree to a trade that would send Burks to the Vikings.

3. Minnesota needs better WR depth and Tennessee has too much WR depth

As it was mentioned previously, Minnesota's wide receiver depth chart is full of uncertainty after Jefferson and Addison. Even if Powell or Nailor are eventually selected to start the regular season as the Vikings' WR3, the team still just needs to improve the overall depth of the position group.

Jefferson's injury last year proved that Minnesota needs to be better prepared for the possibility of a receiver having to miss time due to an injury, especially with the departure of K.J. Osborn earlier this offseason.

Over in Tennessee, they have a bit of the opposite problem. The Titans already had DeAndre Hopkins on their roster before signing Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in free agency earlier this year. So, at best, Burks, who Tennessee drafted in the first round less than three years ago, would likely open the 2024 season as the team's WR4.

So, could any of this lead to Burks getting a fresh start with the Vikings in a few weeks? Well, at the very least, it's currently something that shouldn't be ruled out as a possibility.

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