Vikings 2021 NFL Draft primer: Can Kirk Cousins get them over the hump?

Team need no. 2: Wide Receiver

While it can feel counter-intuitive to label wide receiver as a need for the Vikings when they feature two of the NFL’s top pass catchers in Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, the drop-off in terms of talent and production behind the starting duo is troubling.

Filling out the receiver depth chart for Minnesota are 2018 undrafted free agent (UDFA) Don Beebe in the slot and Bisi Johnson, a 7th round draft pick in the 2019 NFL draft out of Colorado State on the outside.  While each has performed admirably in spots, Beebe and Johnson combined for less than 400 receiving yards in the 2020 season, a total nearly quadrupled by Jefferson alone.

Round 1 Prospect: Rashod Bateman, Minnesota

Rashod Bateman, one of college football’s most productive players over the last 2 seasons, enters this year’s draft proceedings as perhaps the most pro-ready wide receiver in the 2021 class.  At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Bateman is a physical and extraordinarily polished, well-developed prospect on the outside. Beyond his aggressive playstyle, stellar hands, and advanced route running, Bateman’s projection to the next level is further buoyed by a technical proficiency in his approach to the game.

Though the bit of press-man coverage he faced at Minnesota was much less sticky than that which he will face at the next level, he was able to consistently gain release by speed as well as an attacking in-out approach.  Bateman is courageous when working the congested areas of the field, and is willing to extend himself to make a grab in close quarters.  Despite experience lining up across the offensive formation in college, Bateman will likely be given the chance to prove himself at the X receiver position in an NFL camp.

While Jefferson’s conversion from slot to the X in his rookie season proved quite a boon for the Minnesota passing attack, there is certainly still room on the Viking roster for a versatile yet more prototypical split-end type like Bateman.

Day 2 Prospect: Dyami Brown, North Carolina

On the heels of back-to-back 1,000-plus yard seasons at North Carolina, Dyami Brown enters the 2021 draft as perhaps the best of the lot among this year’s less-discussed wide receiver prospects.

Brown displays a clean release with plus acceleration off the line of scrimmage, stacking, and gaining consistent vertical separation in his role with the Tar Heels. He is a magician in terms of selling his routes, employing some particularly devastating double moves.

While he was most often tethered to the line of scrimmage on the left side of the UNC offense, Brown might project better as a Z/flanker at the professional level.  As a versatile receiver with tremendous play-making potential over the top, Brown could offer immediate value in Minnesota.

Late Round Sleeper: Warren Jackson, Colorado State

While there will be any number of receiver prospects languishing in the queue as this year’s draft enters its final rounds, only one of them will be a 6-foot-6, 215 pounder who posted over 1100 receiving yards with eight touchdowns at a Division 1 program in his final collegiate season. Colorado State’s Warren Jackson is a physical receiver, putting his rare frame to use in consistently beating man coverage. With sure hands and big-play ability to boot, Jackson could represent an incredible value as a late-round prospect.