Vikings Bring in a New Young WR
Josh Frey
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The Vikings have spent a good chunk of the early stage of free agency working on their defense.
However, they’ve also added some key players on offense by signing QB Sam Darnold along with RB Aaron Jones. On Thursday evening, Minnesota made their latest move to help improve the offensive side of the ball by signing WR Trent Sherfield.
Vikings Sign WR Trent Sherfield
The signing was reported by Alec Lewis of The Athletic, who tweeted, “The #Vikings have agreed to terms with WR Trent Sherfield, source says. It’s a one-year deal worth $1.79 million.”
Sherfield has spent six seasons in the NFL, and the Vikings are now the fifth team that he will play for. Coming out of Vanderbilt, the wide receiver signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. During that rookie season, he totaled 19 receptions for 210 yards and a touchdown.
In total, the receiver spent three seasons with the Cardinals, but his rookie season was by far his best year in the desert. He recorded a combined nine receptions for 130 yards over the next two years, buried on the Cardinals depth chart.
Sherfield spent the 2021 season with the San Francisco 49ers and was again buried in San Francisco’s talented wide receiver room, but he had his breakout party in 2022 with the Miami Dolphins. During that 2022 season, The receiver recorded career-highs across the board with 30 receptions for 417 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Because of his strong year in Miami, Sherfield was able to land a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2023 worth a total of $1.77 million. He put together 11 receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown in Buffalo’s offense.
Sherfield’s most intriguing trait is his blistering speed downfield. He ran 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Vanderbilt’s pro day prior to the 2018 NFL Draft, and throughout his NFL career, he has averaged 3.7 yards after the catch according to Pro Football Focus. He is also a versatile receiver who can play either on the boundary or in the slot.
The Vikings did bring back Brandon Powell in free agency this week, but they certainly needed more depth in the room behind Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson. K.J. Osborn is a free agent and has been the WR3 in the offense, and a very steady one at that, for the past three years.
Sherfield adds to that depth and can be a homerun hitter for the Vikings offense. The receiver turned 28 years old in February of this year.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and 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.