Stefon Diggs (Age 23, 6’0, 191 lbs.) has 80 catches for 874 yards with 2 TD’s this season. The 2015 5th-round pick out of Maryland is proving last year’s emergence was no fluke. Diggs leads the Vikings in receptions and yards. He only trails tight end Kyle Rudolph for the team lead in targets by 3. He is consistently getting open and his hands seem to be getting better with experience. Diggs and quarterback Sam Bradford have a great rapport. Paired with Rudolph and fellow receiver Adam Thielen, Diggs is in position to lead the Vikings receiving core for years to come. Diggs is under contract through the 2018 season.
Adam Thielen (Age 26, 6’2, 200 lbs.) is perhaps the Viking’s biggest surprise of the 2016 season. His 56 catches for 758 yards with 3 TD’s in 2016 are far better than anyone’s expectations. The former Mankato Maverick is shocking everyone with his production. Thielen had 20 catches for 281 yards and 1 touchdown his whole career before this season. While he’s been slowed by a concussion recently, the Detroit Lakes native has emerged as a legit #2 receiver. I don’t see him losing that role without a fight. Thielen will be a restricted free agent after the season but will undoubtedly receive a high-tender offer from his home-state team.
Cordarrelle Patterson (Age 25, 6’2, 220 lbs.) took a noticeable step forward after a miserable 2015. So far this season, the former first-round pick has 49 catches for 401 yards and 2 TD’s. Faced with uncertainty after the team declined his 2017 option, he has excelled at his new role as a punt return gunner and, of course, his existing role as kick returner. He is also showing more promise as a receiver. Patterson can still raise eyebrows with his elusiveness and his versatility is an asset to the team. He has earned a role as a Viking in 2017, but will he want to stay?
LaQuon Treadwell (Age 21, 6’2, 215 lbs.) is my biggest frustration with the Vikings in 2016. Treadwell, THE TEAM’S FIRST-ROUND PICK IN 2016, HAS ONE CATCH THIS SEASON. One. One damn catch. For 15 yards. That I saw in person. And was impressed. He is a talent. He will create matchup issues for defenses. I realize he’s had some nagging injuries this season, but I don’t understand why he has rarely seen the field. Maybe the team gave his knee a year off? Treadwell NEEDS to be a factor next season. If Patterson re-signs and Treadwell emerges, the Vikings will have a very dangerous passing attack in 2017.
Charles Johnson (Age 27, 6’2, 217 lbs.) has 18 catches for 205 yards this season. Johnson has been steady at best, but he hasn’t made an impact in the multiple opportunities he’s been given since joining the Vikings in 2014. A restricted free agent, Johnson may be back but I don’t expect the veteran to make the squad in 2017.
Jarius Wright (Age 27, 5’10, 191 lbs.) is last but not least. Wright was lost on the depth chart this season….and I, for one, think it’s a travesty. Did you know that of Wright’s 130 career receptions, 85 of them have been for first downs? He has proven he can produce for the Vikings, and that seemed to be what the team thought when it signed Wright to a 4 year, $15M extension last year. He was bothered by injuries early in the season, but when healthy he is a solid receiver, specifically in the slot, and the team would be wise to play him next season, especially if Patterson and Johnson don’t return. It would cost the team $1.68M if he were traded or released.
The surplus of depth at wide receiver has been both a blessing and a curse for the Vikings. There is always a reliable option to step in if there is an injury, but the lack of roles (and playing time) is frustrating the receivers. I believe addition by subtraction will solve this issue. If I were GM, I would re-sign Patterson as a running back (offer him a multi-year deal), re-sign Thielen and let another team sign Johnson. Those moves would result in the following wide receiver depth chart for 2017:
- Stefon Diggs
- Adam Thielen
- Jarius Wright
- Laquon Treadwell
- Moritz Bohringer/Isaac Fruechte/Rookie/FA/UDFA
If I Were GM 