The Minnesota Vikings’ wide receiver situation is fine, until it isn’t. Boasting the best receiver in the entire league and a top-three No. 2 receiver is certainly comforting. However, if Minnesota loses either player for an extended period, things could get ugly quickly.
Minnesota still has yet to add a viable WR3 this offseason. But as they begin the Kyler Murray experiment, it looks like they may have a willing participant.
Free-agent wide receiver Deandre Hopkins played with Murray on the Arizona Cardinals from 2020 to 2022, and he said he’s open to the possibility of reuniting with his QB on the Vikings.
“Kyler, that’s my bro, man. Kyler’s like family,” Hopkins told TMZ Sports. “I talked to Kyler throughout the year last year. I talked to Kyler after his situation in Arizona. Kyler’s like family, man. I would always embrace that journey with him. He’s on a one-year deal, if I’m not mistaken. Whatever I can do for someone like that — if Kyler needed me, if the Vikings need me, they know I’ll be there.”
The Vikings’ interest in Hopkins is unknown, but there are many reasons why adding the veteran makes sense.
Assuming they address the position at least once in the April draft, Minnesota’s receiving room behind the two starters would be Tai Felton, Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming, Myles Price, and a rookie. Those five combine to form the worst Megazord ever, with just three total career receptions, all by Felton last season.
The room was much stronger last year with Jalen Nailor as the No. 3 wideout, and Minnesota still shipped off a mid-round pick for Adam Thielen. While that move ultimately backfired, the importance of having solid receiver depth was clear. There’s simply no way that the Vikings roll into Week 1 without some sort of experienced veteran behind the starters.
Looking at the remaining options still left in free agency, Deandre Hopkins has some appeal. He’s already got familiarity with Minnesota’s potential starting quarterback. He wouldn’t command a bigger, multi-year contract like Jauan Jennings. He’s not coming off a major injury like Tyreek Hill, and he’s just simply not Stefon Diggs. At 33, Hopkins’ overall production has steadily dipped the last few years, but the Vikings need reliability, and he still has it in bunches.
Over his last two seasons, Hopkins has hauled in an impressive 66% of his targets, the same as Justin Jefferson’s career rate. However, in his three seasons with Murray, that number was a staggering 73%. If even more reliability is what you seek, over those last two down seasons, 67% of Hopkins’ catches still went for a first down. Say what you will about his physical abilities these days, but the man moves chains.
Beyond the fact that he’d be cheap and boasts a few more than three career catches, Hopkins also helps to solve one of Minnesota’s biggest problems last season. The Vikings were pitiful in the red zone, mercifully trotting out Will Reichard time and time again to put some points on the board. Minnesota scored a touchdown on just 56% of its red-zone opportunities. However, Hopkins is a bigger-bodied, jump-ball-type receiver who can be a big asset down in the end zone.
While T.J. Hockenson used to be reliable in that aspect, that has wavered ever since his knee injury. One out of every 10 Hopkins catches over the last two seasons has gone for touchdowns. And while it’s always a pleasure to watch Minnesota’s best player in action, a few more touchdowns over field goals would be appreciated.
Maybe above all else, Hopkins can give the team — and fans — comfort knowing he’s going to be doing all the right things out there. A rookie receiver presents obvious risks, especially if a need arises to slide up to WR2 for any amount of time. Felton and Price would need to take a huge leap for anyone to feel confident about either of them slotting in at WR3. And a trade involving Jerry Jeudy, for example, takes away draft capital and adds on a significant contract to an already expensive room.
Deandre Hopkins is truly the best option for Minnesota at this point in the game. He’s a one-year rental, likely, but it would be hard to find a player that Kevin O’Connell can trust more. He’s just a few years removed from a 1,000-yard season with the lowly Tennessee Titans, so there still has to be some juice in the tank.
Jalen Nailor will be missed, and the Vikings may regret moving on years down the line, but with the budget restrictions and lack of any clear-cut options on the roster, Minnesota should hop to it and bring in the savvy vet.
