The Vikings’ Roster Crisis Demands Inaction (and Calm)
For some, the Vikings’ roster crisis is manifesting itself at wide receiver. After all, there has been a long list of bad news to arrive in recent days.
Most notably, there was the injury to Rondale Moore, a particularly cruel reality given that we’re talking about someone who just got back to full health. But then there’s the reality of Justin Jefferson having bubble wrap on at training camp due to his hamstring ailment alongside the upcoming suspension for Jordan Addison. So, how concerned should the Vikings be?
The Vikings’ Roster Crisis & The Dwindling WR Depth
Look around at our pair of sites — Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD — to see a bit of the alarm manifesting itself in the writing.
Maybe there should have been an effort to keep Trent Sherfield. He is, after all, a veteran who offers good physicality on both offense and specials, making the occasional play along the way. One also wonders about the trade targets — Trey Palmer, perhaps — alongside the broader receiver talent that’s out there. There has even been chatter about an Adam Thielen homecoming.
At the risk of being overly contrarian, I’ll insist that the Vikings are well positioned to weather the storm. Yes, there has been bad news arriving, but one need not go overboard with a remedy.
Consider, for instance, just the main three issues: Jefferson’s hamstring, Addison’s suspension, and Moore’s injury. Jefferson is working through a minor issue, one that’s not going to sideline him in the regular season; he’s being treated with caution so that he can be available. Meanwhile, the Addison suspension has been a slow-moving crisis, one that basically everyone could see coming.
With Moore, it’s a definite gut punch (for him most of all). The talented receiver worked very hard to get his body right, so the injury news is incredibly discouraging. Do note, though, that the Vikings weren’t guaranteeing him a roster spot. He was going to be the WR4 or WR5 while battling to be the PR1.
Now, there’s a broader context that does need to be considered. Namely, the presence of 22-year-old sophomore J.J. McCarthy holding down the QB1 spot. Doesn’t the young arm need weapons aplenty to help him acclimate to life in the pros?
There’s plenty of wisdom in equipping the young passer with ample options in the passing game. While thinking about that support, shift your focus away from receivers and toward pass catchers more broadly. Tossing all of T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason into the mix does change the water on the purple beans.
Plus, the team does have receiver depth. Maybe Jalen Nailor isn’t a world beater, but he’s at least a solid WR3 when healthy. Lucky Jackson has taken steps forward as a veteran who has overcome a ton (which is say nothing of offering a nice size/speed combo). Plus, rookie receiver Tai Felton is in the house, a 3rd-Round rookie with speed to spare.
Realistically, the Vikings’ Week 1 game could feature this receiver hierarchy:
- WR1: Justin Jefferson
- WR2: Jalen Nailor
- WR3: Lucky Jackson
- WR4: Tai Felton
- WR5: Myles Price
Supporting that cluster of receivers are the top twosome at tight end and the strong pair at running back. Both of the Hockenson/Oliver and Jones/Mason pairs represent very strong options for their positions.
Or, perhaps, the receivers could look accordingly:
- WR1: Justin Jefferson
- WR2: Lucky Jackson
- WR3: Jalen Nailor
- WR4: Tai Felton
- WR5: Silas Bolden
No, not the NFL’s scariest collection of receivers — re-inserting Jordan Addison into the mix could create that effect — but certainly passable given the projected strength at TE, RB, and from the WR1, Justin Jefferson.
Others receivers who could get worked into the mix include Tim Jones, Jeshaun Jones, Thayer Thomas, or maybe even someone trimmed from a different roster in late August.
Do remember, folks, that the 2024 season similarly saw Addison on the sidelines for the beginning of the season. He got hurt in Week 1 and then missed Week 2 & Week 3. During that time, Hockenson was also hurt, further depleting the pass catchers who were there for Sam Darnold — someone who, at that time, was still regarded as a draft bust.
The point is simply to say that the Vikings’ roster crisis isn’t yet one. Get Jefferson healthy and lean on those tight ends and running backs. Minnesota isn’t guaranteed to win all of their opening games but Mr. McCarthy is going to have support.
Now, if another receiver were to get suspended or hurt…? Well, let’s not go there.
