Vikings Have a “Big 5” of Sexy WR Possibilities
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
NFL free agency kicks off in five days, and the way it’s trending, the Minnesota Vikings could upgrade at WR3 to the utmost.
Vikings Have a “Big 5” of Sexy WR Possibilities
Somewhat unexpectedly, five huge-name free-agent wide receivers will be available on the open market.
It’s unclear if Minnesota will be content with the incumbent WR3, Jalen Nailor, but if not, these five sexy WR names will be attainable. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Davante Adams
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports.
Age: 32
Status: Free Agent
Projected Price per Year: $13 Million
2024 Numbers: 85 Rec | 1,063 Yds | 8 TDs | 14 Gms
The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini tweeted Tuesday, “The Jets are cutting WR Davante Adams, per source. Unable to find a trade partner for the 3x All-Pro, New York is moving on and freeing up almost $30M in cap space.”
The maneuver saved a boatload of cap for the Jets, and now Adams, a former Viking killer, can sign anywhere in the business. He need not wait until next week.
2. Amari Cooper
Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports.
Age: 30
Status: Free Agent
Projected Price per Year: $14 Million
2024 Numbers: 44 Rec | 547 Yds | 4 TDs | 14 Gms
Cooper doesn’t have too much NFL time left at the age of 30, but he’s a five-time Pro Bowler who could hold WR3 duties in Minnesota better than any man since Jake Reed.
Many thought he’d bust out with the Buffalo Bills last season, but that did not occur.
He might look good in purple, though.
3. Stefon Diggs
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images.
Age: 31
Status: Free Agent
Projected Price per Year: $10 Million
2024 Numbers: 47 Rec | 496 Yds | 3 TDs | 8 Gms
Diggs tore his ACL last October and might not be ready for Week 1 of 2025. Stay tuned.
The former Viking was included on this list because he began his career in purple, and when he played against the Vikings last September as a member of the Houston Texans, he spoke rather fondly of his time in Minnesota.
Maybe he can wind down his illustrious career where it all began.
4. Chris Godwin
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports.
Age: 29
Status: Free Agent
Projected Price per Year: $22 Million
2024 Numbers: 50 Rec | 576 Yds | 5 TDs | 7 Gms
The most valuable target on the list, Godwin may also be the least likely to sign with the Vikings. He’s a tried-and-true WR2, and some team will pay him handsomely for such services.
Realistically, Minnesota needs a WR3, and Godwin, at 29, can still produce WR2 numbers.
5. Cooper Kupp
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.
Age: 31
Status: On Trade Block
Projected Price per Year: $11 Million
2024 Numbers: 67 Rec | 710 Yds | 6 TDs | 12 Gms
Head coach Kevin O’Connell worked with Kupp in Los Angeles, and the two won a championship together in 2021. Kupp also won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award that season.
That alone could lure Kupp to the Twin Cities. One could argue Kupp as the most probable big-name WR3 signing for the Vikings (if they upgrade at all).
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
