Vikings Theorized to Be a Fit for Intriguing Day 2 WR Prospect
Josh Frey
|
The Minnesota Vikings have been taking meetings with a number of top 2023 NFL Draft prospects over the past couple of weeks, and a few of these visits have reportedly been with receivers. It makes sense that Minnesota would be interested in drafting a wide receiver this spring following the departure of Adam Thielen.
Even if K.J. Osborn is capable of taking on the WR2 role, the Vikings need more depth at the position than what they have now. Because of that, ESPN recently theorized that an intriguing Day 2 WR prospect could be a good fit for the team. That prospect is Ole Miss WR Jonathan Mingo.
Matt Bowen wrote the article, coining his best team fits for some of the premiere prospects in the 2023 Draft, and on Mingo’s fit with the Vikings here is what the analyst had to say:
After the departure of veteran Adam Thielen, the Vikings could add someone like Mingo to the wide receiver room on Day 2 of the draft. And I really like the fit for him in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, given Mingo’s powerful frame, route detail and production after the catch.
Mingo spent all four of his collegiate years with the Rebels, and in 2022 he capped off his career with his best season yet, recording 51 receptions, 861 yards, and 5 touchdowns. In all, he had 112 receptions, 1768 yards, and 12 touchdowns over his four years at Ole Miss.
Over his first year-plus as the general manager of the Vikings, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has shown that he likes having players on his team that can be versatile. It’s a big reason why they drafted prospects such as Lewis Cine and Brian Asamoah last spring, and why they kept C.J. Ham around for the 2023 season.
Mingo certainly fits the bill as a versatile player, playing 537 snaps out wide and 261 in the slot during the 2022 season, per Pro Football Focus. He has the speed to beat guys deep, but he is also a big-bodied receiver that can fight with even the most physical corners to make them sweat out one-on-one battles in short and intermediate ranges.
The Ole Miss prospect is also on the younger side and won’t turn 22 until a week before the draft, meaning he could have a decade of productive NFL football in him. Pairing a versatile player like him with Justin Jefferson could be a terrific fit and is something the Vikings should heavily consider in a couple weeks when the draft officially gets underway.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.