After K.J. Osborn signed with the New England Patriots this offseason, the Minnesota Vikings chose to mostly stand pat in their receiver room, only signing Trent Sherfield Sr. to assumingly be a special teamer and blocking specialist. While there haven’t been any reports on the Vikings wanting another receiver, an article from the Athletic’s Alec Lewis stated that there are a couple of receivers potentially on the market that, if interested, the Vikings could trade for.
New Receivers The Vikings Could Add Before the 2024 Season
Amari Cooper
The most high-profile player in this report, Amari Cooper has produced at a high level for every team he’s played with, last year being no exception. Cooper had career highs in receiving yards and yards per catch last year, with the Cleveland Browns using him more as a deep threat compared to the possession, over the middle receiver role he’d excelled at throughout his career. He was sixth in the NFL in deep targets and seventh in air yards, and it gave him the best stats he’s ever had.
For the Vikings, Cooper may not be the perfect fit. Cooper and second-year star Jordan Addison both played in similar roles and unless Kevin O’Connell has ideas to use either of them differently- which both guys are good enough to do- this may not be the guy to trade for. Although, no Vikings fan remembers “3-Deep” as guys who all played the same role and struggled because of it. Sometimes, you just have to get talented players and make it work from there.
Amari Cooper’s stats today:
• 11 catches
• 265 receiving yards
• 2 TDsThe most receiving yards in #Browns franchise history. pic.twitter.com/6NvEuF0O4K
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) December 24, 2023
Chris Godwin
Coming off his third 1,000-yard season, Chris Godwin has been a steady and reliable presence for all the quarterbacks the Buccaneers have burned through since he was drafted. Working primarily in the slot- which both Justin Jefferson and Addison did as well- Godwin had his highest depth of target since 2020 at almost 10 yards per attempt. If Minnesota thinks one of Godwin, Jefferson, or Addison could make the switch to primarily an outside receiver, Godwin could excel here, given he’s the perfect complement for how the Vikings used Addison as the deep threat last year.
At 28 years old and coming off another great season, Godwin would probably be the most expensive out of this list, and with the Vikings having only two draft picks in 2025, Godwin may be out of their price range. If they do spend the steep price to get him, there isn’t a better semi-realistic option out there.
Robert Woods
The next two receivers on this list are much more realistic options and may be cut-down day candidates the Vikings could swoop in on before the season starts. Robert Woods is someone who’s been raved about by Sean McVay and Kevin O’Connell. He was cut by the Titans before the season started and picked up by the Texans where he’s been buried on the depth chart behind a loaded receiving corps that’s only gotten deeper.
In his prime, there wasn’t a better archetype for a third receiver than Woods, with his peak being on those electric Rams offenses where he had multiple thousand-yard receiving years. He hasn’t eclipsed 600 yards in three years, but he hasn’t had the biggest role, or been in a receiver-friendly position in years. If the Vikings feel Brandon Powell or Jailen Nailor can’t hold onto that third spot throughout the year, Woods would be the best cheap option of the group, with the hope one of Powell or Nailor could overtake him during the year.
Noah Brown
Primarily in the slot, Noah Brown has been on the fringe of major playing time throughout his career. He spent his first five seasons in Dallas before having a career-high 555 yards in 2022 and signed with the Texans. This year was supposed to be Brown’s biggest year, but an injury and week one, along with the emergence of Tank Dell sent Brown back down the depth chart. In the same spot as Robert Woods, both on the Texans and having to fight for a spot on maybe the most loaded receiving corps in the league, Brown may be the odd man out. Another cheaper option, Brown is a little more of a wildcard but is talented enough to produce as a wide receiver three.
Main Image: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
