The Future Vikings WR2 May Lie in the 2023 NFL Draft
Josh Frey
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The biggest story of the Minnesota Vikings 2023 offseason certainly surrounds Justin Jefferson and his looming contract negotiations. More than likely, Jefferson will snag a historic extension from the Vikings, no matter how much Jefferson tends to downplay the topic.
Even though this will be one of the biggest storylines in the entire NFL, it shouldn’t be the only discussion regarding the Vikings wide receiver room. The other surrounds the future of the Vikings WR2, and the answer to the question may lie in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Adam Thielen will be 33 years of age by the time the 2023 season rolls around, and that ankle injury which forced him to miss four games in 2021 seems to be causing some troubles again in 2022. He should continue to be a red zone threat for a couple more years, but his time as a true second option at wide receiver may be coming to an end.
Additionally, KJ Osborn has gotten off to a quieter start in 2022 than 2021, catching just 19 passes for 177 yards through six games. With that, who are some options that the Vikings could chase next April?
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Jordan Addison (USC)
Jordan Addison exited last weekend’s game with a scary looking leg injury against Utah, but he seems to have avoided any serious long-term concerns. This is great not only for the USC Trojans in their hopes of a CFP berth, but also for Addison’s draft stock as he should be one of the more coveted receivers.
There’s certainly a world where the Vikings can land Addison, but it likely takes a combination of Minnesota winning fewer games down the stretch of the 2022 NFL season as well as higher priority being given to the prospects at QB and in the trenches.
Either way, Addison is setting a torrential pace at USC this season with QB Caleb Williams, who looks like the No. 1 pick of the 2024 Draft. If Devonta Smith hadn’t translated so well from Alabama to the NFL, there may be bigger questions surrounding Addison’s 175-pound frame, but he looks every bit as elusive as the 10th overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Quentin Johnston look like they might go before Addison at this point, but the USC star has solidified first round status next spring.
Zay Flowers (Boston College)
Though Boston College hasn’t had great success to this point in the season, Zay Flowers continues to have a strong campaign for the Eagles. Coming into this weekend, he leads the ACC in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Flowers has had his name circulating in NFL Draft talks since 2021, but he ultimately chose to return to BC for his senior season alongside QB Phil Jurkovec.
Like Justin Jefferson when he was at LSU, Flowers has been used all over the Eagles offense as an outside receiver, in the slot, and even as a rusher out of the backfield. Flowers has rushed 52 times for 353 over the course of his collegiate career.
With other names at bigger programs, such as the other two mentioned here today, there’s a decent chance Flowers slides down draft boards. Perhaps the Vikings could even get away with selecting him in the second round rather than the first.
Kayshon Boutte (LSU)
Obviously, the 2022 season has not been nearly as productive as initially hoped for LSU star Kayshon Boutte. Through six games, Boutte has essentially provided half as much production for the Tigers offense as he did in the six games he played, and his touchdowns have taken a massive dip, but he has started to turn a corner in recent weeks.
It’s undeniable that Boutte has the talent to be an NFL receiver. He leaves much to be desired in terms of size, but he has strong hands and possesses a sharp route running ability that should translate to the next level.
Like Addison, the question at this point is whether or not he’ll be on the board by the time the Vikings pick in the first round. If he continues to put up 100+ yard statlines, he could be one of the first receivers off the board alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba. If he’s there, a receiver crew featuring both Justin Jefferson and Boutte could be something special.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing as well as minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.