Four Wide Receivers the Vikings Should Have Their Eye on in the 2024 NFL Draft
The Minnesota Vikings are going to need to find extra depth at their receiver position in 2024.
Both K.J. Osborn and Brandon Powell are set to enter free agency, who largely held down the WR3/4 roles in Minnesota this past season. Additionally, Powell was the full-time punt returner in Minnesota last season. If the duo were to head elsewhere in 2024, the Vikings could look to the draft yet again to fill out their wide receiver room.
Seeing as the Vikings likely won’t use a first-round selection on a receiver this spring, let’s turn our attention further down the board. Minnesota holds the 42nd overall pick as well, coming in the second round, so here are four receivers that they could target in that spot.
Adonai Mitchell (Texas)
Adonai Mitchell transferred from Georgia to Texas in 2023, and it proved to be the correct decision. After largely playing in a depth role for the Bulldogs over his first two collegiate seasons, Mitchell totaled 55 receptions for 845 yards (15.4 yards per catch), and 11 touchdowns this past year.
At 6’4″, Mitchell is capable of winning reps with his physicality, and he is a solid speed threat downfield as well with the potential to run in the 4.4s at the combine. His size would allow Jordan Addison to go back to his usual slot position where he absolutely thrived during his collegiate years at Pittsburgh before transferring to USC.
Ladd McConkey (Georgia)
Ladd McConkey is a very undersized boundary receiver at 5’11” and 187 pounds, but he made it work at Georgia because of a terrific burst off the line of scrimmage and some elite route-running skills. He changes directions on a dime, and while his top gear isn’t elite, his ability to run precise routes made him a constant threat in Georgia’s offense.
In addition, McConkey boasts some strong punt return skills. He totaled 21 punt returns throughout his collegiate career, which went for a total of 279 yards, an average of 13.3 yards per return. With Brandon Powell entering free agency, McConkey could take on this role as well with the Vikings.
Roman Wilson (Michigan)
Roman Wilson is a smaller receiver as well, standing at just 5’10” and weighing 186 pounds. However, he is an absolute burner who can beat just about anybody downfield on a regular basis. Wilson put up big time production with the Wolverines in 2023, catching 48 passes for 723 yards and 12 TDs.
Despite his small stature, Wilson has long arms that allow him to play bigger than his height suggests and is only amplified by his supreme athletic ability.
Xavier Worthy (Texas)
Xavier Worthy is a very wiry athlete at 6’1″ and just 172 pounds, but he has blistering speed that could test out in the 4.2s at the combine. Despite his thinner frame, he wasn’t limited to just being a slot receiver, either. He lined up on the outside for 59.9% of his snaps in 2023, and his combination of athleticism and balance make him plenty capable of creating plays outside the numbers on the sideline.
Worthy likely will need to put some more weight on to find great success at the NFL level, but for now, he should be considered one of the best deep threats in the entire draft class.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference and Sports Reference CFB.
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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.