Vikings Receivers

The Minnesota Vikings need improved play from nearly all areas of the team. A 3-13 season pretty much demands it. Offensive line and the secondary lead the way. Inconsistency on the line. Just plain poor play all over the place in the secondary. Receiver, though better, wasn't too far behind. The position will be much better this year. It absolutely will.

The Vikings receiver position starts with Percy Harvin. He's on the verge of becoming a superstar. The Flea Flicker says he's already there. Harvin does everything. Catches, runs, blocks. There are few, if any, more versatile, more dangerous receivers in the league. The only thing that has slowed him is his lifelong battle with migraines. His doctors seem to have them under control. That's bad news for the rest of the league. Even all-everything Darrelle Revis has trouble covering Harvin. The Vikings may have finally found a deep threat to line up opposite Percy Harvin. It's something that the team has been lacking since Sidney Rice was last healthy in 2009. Former Cincinnati Bengals acrobat Jerome Simpson is catching everything and amazing everyone in offseason workouts. He was on the verge of truly breaking out with the Bengals last year. He could finally do so this year. Unfortunately, Simpson is suspended for the first three games of the season. It's a big loss but his return in week four will be a huge boost for the offense. Michael Jenkins was brought in last offseason. He brings a veteran presence. That combined with high effort and steady play makes him valuable. He may still be fighting for a roster spot as youth might be preferred. Second year, former seventh round pick Stephen Burton could be the wildcard. He's worked hard during his first NFL offseason. With Harvin rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery, Burton has been taking a lot of first team snaps. He's making the most of it. He might be the most talked about player in offseason workouts as he's regularly making plays and turning heads. At 6'1" and about 225 lbs he brings nice size and very good speed. He could make a real impact in his first full season. Quarterback Christian Ponder likes to throw his way. That's always a nice perk. The Vikings selected Arkansas receivers Jarius Wright and Greg Childs in the fourth round of the recent NFL Draft. They'll make the team and both could be true playmakers. Childs might be the most naturally skilled receiver outside of Harvin. He's big, 6'3" and 225lbs, and fast. If he can stay healthy, he'll see the field a lot. Especially in the first three games when Simpson is out. Wright might make his most immediate impact as a kick returner. Small and quick, he was likely drafted to provide nice depth behind Harvin in the slot. He's an exciting football player.

The Vikings typically carry five or six receivers. Harvin, Simpson, Wright and Childs are absolute locks. I think that Burton is as well. That's five. My guess is that the team goes with six and survives with five through the first three games when Simpson is suspended. That last spot will be a battle. Experience might give Jenkins the edge but younger players like Manny Arceneaux, Devin Aromashadu and Bryan Walters should make him nervous. Outside of Harvin, Jenkins and Simpson, the Vikings receivers carry little name recognition. That will change this year. It may not seem evident to the national media and nearly all of the fans but Ponder has some nice weapons moving forward.