Vikings Receivers

I brag, perhaps too often, of the Minnesota Vikings rich tradition of receivers. That tradition has taken a hit in recent years. They were in a pretty nice place in 2009 with Sidney Rice, rookie Percy Harvin, and a still productive Bernard Berrian. It's been pretty much downhill since with Rice and Harvin now in Seattle and Berrian  deciding that he didn't really care to put much effort in his game anymore. At one point during this offseason, the Vikings depth chart was topped by Jarius Wright. A talented, little receiver that had just completed his rookie season.

Then:
Jarius Wright
Stephen Burton
Greg Childs
Chris Summers
LaMark Brown

Those receivers probably have a little more than a dozen career receptions. The Vikings receiver group has had a complete makeover in the past three months.

Now:
Greg Jennings
Jerome Simpson
Jarius Wright
Cordarrelle Patterson
Stephen Burton
Joe Webb
Greg Childs
Chris Summers
LaMark Brown
Rodney Smith
Erik Highsmith
Adam Thielen

Adding free agent Greg Jennings was the biggest addition. He gives the Vikings their most proven receiver since Randy Moss in 2004. His leadership and experience will help quarterback Christian Ponder and a very young receiver group. Simpson was re-signed. His 2012 season was mostly a wash due to a suspension and a nagging foot/leg injury. If he can ever harness his incredible physical talents, he could provide some real nice production. He needs to get on the field and stay on it. Wright, the one-time top of the depth chart youngster, could become a star. At 5'10" and 180 lbs, he's fairly small. He's more quick than fast. He wasn't on the game day roster until Harvin went down with an ankle injury in the middle of the past season. He provided a much needed deep threat. Wright has a bright future. The Vikings traded back into the first round to draft Tennessee's Cordarrelle Patterson. He has all the natural talent to be a superstar. His stock in the draft dropped when teams questioned his maturity and ability to pick up an NFL offense. In all OTAs so far, the Vikings have been nothing but impressed with his drive, effort, and his ability to pick up the offense. Everything that drove down his draft stock seems to be nothing but words so far. He should make an impact as a kick returner immediately. His versatility could keep alive the plays that offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave put in for Harvin. Patterson's potential is off the charts. Jennings, Simpson, Wright, and Patterson are likely the only locks for roster spots. Some think that Simpson is on the bubble but I think that he makes it. The incredibly talented Joe Webb moved from quarterback. His complete conversion could take a while but he's got the speed and leaping ability to specialize in a few plays until he's got the entire route tree down. Chris Summers and undrafted free agent Rodney Smith are big receivers that have a chance. 6'5" and 6'6", so they might qualify as huge receivers. Smith played a little with Ponder at Florida St. so he as a little familiarity on his side. Stephen Burton was a seventh round pick in 2011 out of West Texas A&M. He has some nice talent but has taken a couple a couple of years to move from small school receiver to NFL receiver. This is likely a make or break year for him. The biggest wildcard of the bunch is Greg Childs. In his rookie training camp last summer, he tore BOTH patellar tendons. He is well on his way to becoming the first NFL player to ever come back from such an injury. Healthy, he's the type of big play, big receiver that the Vikings have been looking for since Sidney Rice left. Incredibly, he may be physically ready for the start of training camp but the Vikings are taking no chances. He'll likely start camp on the PUP list. They did the same thing with Adrian Peterson last year. I believe that Greg Childs will be back. If he can get back on the field and stay on the field for the NFL career that he's worked so hard for, Patterson, Wright, and Childs could be the receiving future for the Minnesota Vikings. Ponder will be happy.

If Childs is activated and fine through training camp, I think that the Vikings keep six receivers.

Greg Jennings
Jerome Simpson
Jarius Wright
Cordarrelle Patterson
Joe Webb
Greg Childs

There's a lot to like with this group. Thinking back to the state of the position in early March, it's a great makeover. But, no one really knows until the games start counting. None of the other six receivers are going to leave Minnesota without a fight. Burton is going to be particularly hard to cut. Smith and Summers have unique size. Thielen hasn't left an OTA workout without making an eye-opening play. Every one of the twelve receivers will be going to Mankato with an intention and a shot at making the Minnesota Vikings a better team.