Analyzing NFL Scouting Combine Participants Who Could Fill Vikings’ Needs at WR4 and Punt Returner
Cody Spears
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The NFL Scouting Combine is an annual event where college football players demonstrate their physical, mental, and interview abilities in front of coaches, general managers, and scouts of National Football League teams. This event offers a standardized setting for NFL teams to evaluate upcoming rookies.
With the value of the receiver position being one of the highest in the league, it’s essential for NFL teams to invest in late-round picks in the position. College football has been preparing more receivers for the NFL every year, and it’s paid off. Puka Nacua, Demario Douglas, and Dontayvion Wicks all look like, at minimum, solid contributors going forward. Each was drafted after the 159th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Minnesota Vikings have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison written in as starters for 2024, but K.J. Osborn and Brandon Powell are both pending free agents. Powell was the exclusive punt returner in 2023, as he handled each rep. The Vikings aren’t in a position to spend money on punt returners, and they need some depth in the wide receiver room. It would help to have those roles simultaneously filled by a rookie contract. Fortunately, the 2024 NFL Draft is chock full of receiving talent, and there will be quality receivers with special teams experience pushed down into the third day.
Open Role: Brandon Powell, Slot WR4, Punt Returner
Quick Stats
- 63% Slot Snap Location;
- Average Depth of Target (aDOT) 8.4;
- 55% of targets were received in the “short right field” or “short center field”;
- Primary Punt Returner with 71 Punt Returns.
Criteria for Replacement Options
- Primarily plays in the slot with 50%+ slot snap location
- At least 30% of their targets around the line of scrimmage
- The aDOT is less than 10
- Projected draft round five or later
- Special teams experience or projected special teams player
The Choices
Jacob Cowing, Arizona
75.3% Slot Snap Location, 52.1% Targets Around the Line of Scrimmage, 6.7 aDOT, Fifth Round Projection, Punt Return Experience
Cowing is an experienced and dynamic slot-only option at receiver. He’s very twitchy and loses defenders in space. Cowing has a good understanding of how to play the receiver position but is limited by his size of 5’8″ and 165 pounds. His size suggests he will be a depth role player and returner in the NFL.
Jordan Whittington, Texas
74.5% Slot Snap Location, 32.7% Targets Around the Line of Scrimmage, 7.2 aDOT, Sixth Round Projection, Punt Return Experience
Whittington is consistently lauded for his football IQ. He’s a versatile receiver on the team who plugs in roles that need to be filled. He struggles with speed and isn’t a natural separator. Whittington likely won’t impress in workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine, which will likely make him available at the end of the draft. Despite being a depth only and special teams option at the next level, Whittington possesses the size, IQ, and versatility that coaches will covet.
Isaiah Williams, Illinois
74.2% Slot Snap Location, 44.9% Targets Around the Line of Scrimmage, 8.5 aDOT, Undrafted Round Projection, Punt Return Experience
Williams, who is 5’9″ and 180 pounds, is new to the receiver position as he switched from quarterback in 2020 to increase his chances of going pro. Williams is electric and a menace in space. Due to his size and limited experience, he will be limited to the slot and special teams at the next level. Regardless, this round projection is -wrong-. Williams will look to carry momentum from the East-West Shrine game as he was named to the all-practice team. He will test excellently at the NFL Scouting Combine. Washington should not make it out of the sixth round in April.
NOTE: Statistics provided by Pro Football Focus. Round projections are provided by the NFL Mock Draft Database.
Final Thoughts
The Minnesota Vikings have some open roles to fill and need to invest in late-round picks in the receiver position. The team needs a cost-effective depth wide receiver who can moonlight as a punt returner.
Fortunately, the 2024 NFL Draft is expected to have quality receivers with special teams experience, and some good options are projected to be available in the late rounds. Jacob Cowing, Jordan Whittington, and Isaiah Williams all match the necessary criteria and could be viable options for the Vikings.
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