It Appears NFL Teams Are Interested in Trading for a Vikings WR
The NFL roster cutdown deadline is just hours away. While NFL teams are working on trimming their rosters down, there are also trades being conducted.
The Minnesota Vikings were one of the first (per usual in the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era) to get in on the trading action. They sent Vederian Lowe to the New England Patriots on Sunday evening in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick.
It seems that he is not the only current Viking on the radar of other teams, though. On Tuesday morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Minnesota has been receiving calls in regard to WR Jalen Reagor.
NFL Teams Are Interested in Vikings WR Jalen Reagor
Rapoport tweeted on Tuesday, “A name to watch: The #Vikings have received calls inquiring about the availability of former first-round WR Jalen Reagor, source said. Minnesota traded for him about a year ago.”
Indeed, the Vikings did acquire the wide receiver via trade nearly one year ago. On August 31st, 2022, Minnesota sent a 2023 seventh-round pick as well as a conditional 2024 fourth-rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles to bring in Reagor.
Reagor’s NFL career hasn’t exactly gotten off the best start. After being selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he has recorded just 72 receptions for 799 yards and 4 TDs over his first three seasons. Making matters worse, he is more well-known for being selected one pick before Justin Jefferson rather than his play on the field.
The Vikings brought Reagor in a year ago to take over the punt return duties in Minnesota. Despite being a lackluster receiving presence, the former TCU Horned Frog averaged 9.2 yards per punt return during his two years in Philadelphia. He also recorded a punt return TD during his rookie season.
However, Reagor would not live up to his potential in Minnesota last year. He averaged just 6.4 yards per punt return with the Vikings on 26 attempts. Overall, the Vikings tied for the fifth-worst punt return unit in the league because of Reagor’s struggles.
This summer, it appears that the receiver has made some positive strides, though. During the preseason, Reagor appeared in all three games, and he caught 8 of his 11 targets for 93 yards.
Considering the Vikings gave up so little to bring him in, if they were to move him again, it wouldn’t be a huge deal. In fact, perhaps they can even gain some extra draft capital.
Regardless, Minnesota has one of the most talented receiver rooms in the league. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and K.J. Osborn have a case for being the most talented WR trio in the league while Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell can complement them as deep-threats out of the slot.
As of now, no deal is imminent. If the Vikings do not move Reagor, he will likely stick around with the team through the 2023 season. Should he remain in Minnesota, the hope will be that he can build off a strong summer to contribute on the offensive side of the ball.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. 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.