The Pulse of Vikings Fans on WR at No. 14
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings are stewards of high-octane rookie contributors on offense, historically speaking. This is even taken for granted to an extent by the fan base in an innocent way. From Sammy White, Randy Moss, Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, to Justin Jefferson – Vikings faithful are accustomed to immediate upper-echelon production from dynamic playmakers.
It is thus no surprise that fans in 2021 have little objection to lining up the philosophy once again and taking a crack at the next guy. The Vikings have several 2021 needs more important than offensive playmakers, but a bulk of purple folks endorse the Best Player Available strategy pertaining to the 2021 NFL Draft. Or – they just adore flashy wide receivers. Perhaps both.
About 80% of Vikings enthusiasts stare team need in the face (offensive line, defensive line, cornerback, free safety) – and laugh.
In defense of this overwhelming endorsement, it is quite unlikely that DeVonta Smith and/or Ja’Marr Chase will be available at the No. 14 hole of the draft. But this offseason will be another oddity because of the coronavirus pandemic. There is no NFL Combine, and the draft will probably be virtual.
Weird stuff might happen on draft night. And if it does – Viking heads want another show-stopping wideout.
Best Player Available
Do the Vikings need a star-studded WR1 of the future? Hail no. Would the Vikings benefit from a star-studded WR1 in the long-term? Hail yes.
This is the essence of every Best Player Available vs. Team Need debate in NFL history. If Chase or Smith truly materialize as a 1,300-yard-per season guys, will Minnesota, in retrospect, look in the rearview and ask, “Why did we draft this person when we had Justin Jefferson?” No. The Vikings would relish wideout galore for the next 5+ years. It sells tickets. It bolsters fantasy-football dealings. It’s fun.
But it does ignore a stinky pass-protecting offensive line – unless general manager Rick Spielman has an alternative plan. Be guarded, though, about a backseast offensive-line strategy. The Vikings basically try that every year – and each season the result is less than desirable. This has been the case for about a decade.
Same for the defense. Because of injury, the Vikings 2020 defense ranked 29th in the league via points allowed. Theoretically, this should be the draft-to-end-all-drafts for a defensive player in the 1st Round – something that causes head coach Mike Zimmer to salivate.
Splurging for Chase or Smith undeniably ignores roster holes, but it does ensure Minnesota remains an offensive powerhouse for several years.
1998 as a Lesson
This movie has been broadcast before.
In 1998, the Vikings rostered two wideouts named Cris Carter and Jake Reed. Why the hell would they need a high-lumping, lanky wide receiver from Marshall University?
See how ridiculous that sounds?
Do you regret the drafting of Randy Moss? If you do, it’s time to take off your shirt so that you can reveal to the group your Packers jersey concealed underneath.
Currently, Minnesota has no soothsaying available to determine how long Adam Thielen will perform at a high level – he is 30 years old. And – although it would be odd – Justin Jefferson could encounter a sophomore slump. These things happen. Unlikely – but be aware of all angles to this situation.
Should a sure-fire asset like Chase or Smith be available, refer back to 1998 as a lesson regarding the stakes. Rosters change. No Vikings fan regrets Moss gracing the roster for eight seasons.
Zimmer Won’t Be Around Forever
What’s more, Mike Zimmer will not coach the Vikings forever. Hell, he won’t be around in 2022 if the 2021 season goes pear-shaped. The argument that the Vikings “run too much” to host a productive WR3 is silly. The franchise could fundamentally change with one termination.
Then, guess what? The team may hire an offense-first coach just as staunch on his/her side of the ball as Zimmer was defensively. Selecting rookies is usually about future planning – not “how will they get Chase/Smith the ball” when the team runs so much.
Leave those dealings to the offensive coordinator. An astute playcaller will not sideline Chase/Smith because he has a rushing-play quota. If he does, his employment will be short-lived.
Choosing Chase or Smith – if either is available – is not an ironclad plan. But to dismiss it as lunacy disregards long-term foresight.