The receiver position draws my interest more than any other position on a football team. It always has. The Minnesota Vikings receivers over much of the past decade have trended toward the sorry side. Trotting out a starting duo of Marcus Robinson and Travis Taylor was just sad. The situation was looking up with Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin but those two are in Seattle now. There was a brief period this past offseason when Jarius Wright was at the top of the receiver depth chart. He's a real nice receiver with a real nice future but he has about a dozen career recpetions. Since that brief period the Vikings re-signed Jerome Simpson, signed Greg Jennings, and drafted Cordarrelle Patterson. Now, the Vikings actually have a pretty interesting receiver group.
Greg Jennings
Jerome Simpson
Jarius Wright
Cordarrelle Patterson
Joe Webb
Greg Childs
Stephen Burton
Chris Summers
Rodney Smith
Erik Highsmith
LaMark Brown
Adam Thielen
I think that the only receivers that are assured of spots are Jennings, Wright, and Patterson. Jennings was signed to make a difference. Off the field as well as on. When healthy he's one of the best receivers in the game. Wright was often terrific as he stepped up when Harvin was hurt. Wright has a bright future. Patterson is a unique talent. If he can harness that talent, he could be an elite football player. He has the running ability and elusiveness of a smaller football player. At about 6'2" and 220 lbs, I can't think of another receiver this size that can cut and move like Patterson. He'll be a dynamic kick returner immediately. Simpson is currently listed as the first team split end. It's likely that he keeps that spot but it's far from certain. That's due more to the talent currently behind him. Webb is making the transition from quarterback to receiver. It's a tough switch but he's so physically gifted. He may even take the punt return job as well. His versatility, natural ability, and willingness to play special teams help his chances. Childs lost his rookie season last summer when he tore the patellar tendon in BOTH knees. His recovery has been incredible. Especially considering that no NFL player has ever come back from such an injury. He started this training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list but it seems that it is more as a precaution. He's ready. He's also the big, down the field threat that the Vikings have lacked since Sidney Rice. Burton is raw but talented. This is his third year with the team and this is likely a make or break training camp for him. Summers and Smith are big, 6'5" and 6'6", receivers that have potential. Each has a chance as their size makes them unique. It gives them something that the other receivers on the roster don't have. Thielen was signed after making it through the NFL's regional combine process. His performance there got him a tryout with the Vikings and he was signed. His shot is longer than even undrafted rookies like Smith and Highsmith. Every practice he simply makes plays. He may not be the most physically gifted football player on the field but he does so many things right. He just makes plays. He's also going to make it real tough for the team to cut him. The Vikings usually keep five receivers. It's because of players like Thielen and maybe Childs that might force the team to keep six receivers. It's also why I think that Simpson's spot is far from assured. The receiver position has been a weak spot for too long. I think that it will soon be a strength.
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