Vikings Host “Sleeper Receiver”
The Minnesota Vikings lost third receiver Jalen Nailor in free agency and could use another pass-catcher in the rotation. Beyond starters Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, presumed QB1 Kyler Murray would throw the ball to last year’s rookies Tai Felton and Myles Price and it’s unknown whether they can make that next step.
In the upcoming draft, another young wideout could join the group. According to reporter Arye Pulli, Miami’s CJ Daniels is set to visit the Vikings.
Daniels joins a long list of pre-draft visits, interviews, and meetings. Like all teams, the Vikings use the months leading up to April’s three-day event to do their homework on the class. After a lack of success in recent drafts, the franchise desperately needs some young talent to strengthen the roster.
Receiver Daniels had a long collegiate career, first playing four years at Liberty, then one at LSU, followed by his final campaign at Miami (FL). After an elite year at Liberty in 2023 with 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns, his production dipped in the SEC and ACC. He registered 480 yards and zero scores in 2024 and 557 yards for 7 touchdowns as Carson Beck’s weapon in Miami’s playoff run.
NFL.com’s scout Lance Zierlein sees some talent but foresees a challenging NFL career trajectory: “Daniels has a tremendous feel for creating catch opportunities with varied route tempo, body control and late separation tactics. He will struggle against a quality press and might need to be schemed into releases against certain corners.
“Daniels excels in putting himself between the throw and the defender, winning contested catches at a high rate during his time at LSU (2024) and Miami (2025). He’s confident, crafty and focused, but he’s average after the catch and unlikely to help on special teams, so his road to a roster spot will be challenging.”
Daniels isn’t the most athletic receiver in the draft class, but he’s a refined technician. Spending six years in college certainly helps in that department. Under Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings have focused on faster receivers. The three drafted pass-catchers under him were Jalen “Speedy” Nailor, Jordan Addison, and Tai Felton.
PFF’s Trevor Sikkema wrote about him, “Daniels will be one of the oldest prospects in the 2026 class. He represents a traits-over-production profile and, in his current form, offers contributing NFL ability through his suddenness, elite contested-catch production and feisty blocking — albeit with limited long speed and yards-after-the-catch output.”
A sample size of three drafted receivers is still tiny, though. Perhaps technician Daniels makes sense next to raw but athletic sophomore Felton.
Daniels is expected to be a Day 3 pick. After the small draft classes in recent years, the Vikings have nine picks this time and a receiver could certainly be on the menu with only two established ones on the roster.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.