Don’t Expect the Free Agent Signing to Be Vikings’ WR3
The Vikings have had an exciting wideout duo for years, first with Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, then Justin Jefferson and Thielen. Now, sophomore Jordan Addison is foreseen to be Jefferson’s wingman for years to come. The spot behind them, however, has not always been set, particularly before K.J. Osborn emerged in 2021.
Don’t Expect the Free Agent Signing to Be Vikings’ WR3
Osborn left in free agency after his rookie contract had expired. He joined the New England Patriots and rookie passer Drake Maye, and his usual 500-700 receiving yards in a season will be missed. The Vikings must find a successor, especially because T.J. Hockenson will likely miss some time early in the season.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah passed on the opportunity to form an explosive receiver trio in the draft and free agency. The only player he added was Trent Sherfield, a journeyman depth piece. He should not be expected to take over as Minnesota’s WR3, says Alec Lewis from The Athletic.
He wrote a short note about all 90 players on the roster, and his words about the newcomer weren’t promising: “Big-bodied but not fleet of foot. It’s hard to see him sliding into the No. 3 receiver role.”
The Vikings list Sherfield at 6’1″ and 206 lbs. Outside of N’Keal Harry, who is still listed as a wide receiver but is seemingly making a transition to tight end, Sherfield is the heaviest wideout on the roster.
He ran a 4.45 40-yard dash on his pro day, showing some speed. However, that was in 2018 and might no longer be a strength. The Vanderbilt alumnus recorded five touchdowns and 729 yards as a senior and 1,869 yards in his entire college career.
Still, he went undrafted, signing with the Arizona Cardinals, where he immediately claimed a role with quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Josh Rosen. It was the worst team in football via team record, though Sherfield caught 19 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown in 13 games. He stayed in Arizona for two more seasons, primarily as a special teams player, as he grabbed only nine passes in those campaigns.
In the last three seasons, Sherfield bounced around, spending a year with each of the 49ers, Dolphins, and Bills. His 2022 season with the Dolphins was his most productive one, logging 30 receptions for 417 yards and two touchdowns ‒ all career highs.
The Vikings acquired him by offering a one-year contract worth $1.79 million ($1 million fully guaranteed). That is a solid reason to incorporate him into the plans for the season, and his value as a special teams player will help him make the roster.
On offense, however, it seems more likely that 2022 sixth-rounder Jalen Nailor or punt returner and last year’s breakout player Brandon Powell will win the WR3 job and rank ahead of him on the depth chart.
Nailor has shown flashes, especially as a rookie, but his health has slowed him down. An injury-free training camp is crucial for him, but he has the talent to make a difference. Powell stepped up in 2023 when Justin Jefferson got hurt and developed into a reliable weapon for various quarterbacks and should be favored to be the WR3.
There is still an outside chance Sherfield can play a significant role on offense, although it is more likely that he must protect his roster spot versus the other potential depth receivers. Those include last year’s practice squad players Trishton Jackson, Lucky Jackson, and Thayer Thomas, as well as Malik Knowles, who missed his rookie season because of an injury. Undrafted first-year players Ty James and Jeshaun Jones will also compete.
Sherfield has played in 95 career games (ten starts) and recorded 78 catches for 930 yards and five touchdowns.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt