For the Vikings, the Slim Pickings at WR Are Getting Even Slimmer
The Minnesota Vikings have seen major changes at a number of positions throughout this offseason.
However, other than the departure of K.J. Osborn, the Vikings have made very few moves for their wide receiver room. Obviously, when Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson make up the top two spots in the room, it is less dire for Minnesota to bring in a top-tier WR3.
When considering Osborn’s departure combined with T.J. Hockenson’s ACL tear that likely will keep him sidelined for a portion of the season, though, it would make sense for Minnesota to bring in another target, particularly because they will employ a new starting quarterback.
The options are quickly running dry in free agency, though. Over the past 24 hours, a couple more names came off the board.
The Vikings Are Running Out of WR Options in Free Agency
On Wednesday afternoon, Scotty Miller (a player I’ve laid out as an interesting option for the Vikings in the past) decided to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving Russell Wilson yet another option to throw to in his new offense and reuniting with Arthur Smith, his former Falcons head coach.
Adam Schefter of ESPN had the scoop: “Former Falcons free-agent wide receiver Scotty Miller is reuniting with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh on a one-year deal, per source.”
The financial details of Miller’s deal are unknown as of now, but in all likelihood, it is a very team-friendly contract based on the fact that he only recorded 11 receptions for 161 yards and a pair of touchdowns with the Atlanta Falcons last season.
Meanwhile, another option came off the board early on Thursday morning when Allen Robinson signed with the New York Giants after spending 2023 in Pittsburgh. Robinson will turn 31 years old in August and has lost much of the luster that his name used to carry at the position.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the deal, tweeting, “The #Giants have signed veteran WR Allen Robinson, most recently of the #Steelers.”
Robinson still has had a very productive career through his first 10 years in the NFL, though. In total, he has put together 562 receptions for 7028 yards and 43 touchdowns. He led the NFL in touchdown receptions with the Jaguars back in 2015, and he has surpassed 1000 receiving yards in three of those seasons. Most recently, he did so with the Chicago Bears back in 2020.
During the 2023 campaign, Robinson recorded 34 receptions for 280 yards with the Steelers as Pittsburgh bounced between Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Mitchell Trubisky at the quarterback position.
These signings come after Tyler Boyd went off the free agency board earlier this week when he signed with the Tennessee Titans. According to Darren Wolfson of KSTP, though, the Vikings never had any interest in the veteran wide receiver.
Perhaps Minnesota is content to simply roll into the season with their current receiving group.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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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.