Vikings NFL Draft: One wide receiver prospect Minnesota could target in each round, highlighted by height-weight-speed prospects

The Minnesota Vikings have a need at wide receiver, but it’s mainly at WR3. They could choose to target one early on in the NFL Draft, but later makes more sense, so we broke down a player in each round.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Nov 8, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.
Nov 8, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

When looking at how the NFL Draft will go for the Minnesota Vikings, there are multiple paths. They could focus on the trenches, which the fanbase has been begging for the last few years. Wide receiver is a sneaky need, and it could be the best player available when selecting at 18th overall.

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the Vikings need a wide receiver. Jalen Nailor signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving an opening at WR3. Tai Felton was selected in the third round last year, but he didn’t show much to inspire confidence that he can be the guy at WR3.

There is talent in every round for the Vikings to target, so I picked one player who makes the most sense in all seven.

First round: KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

When you look at the top of the wide receiver class, it feels eerily similar to that of 2023. Nobody is a truly elite prospect, but there are quite a few good ones. Concepcion is my WR3 in the draft class, but is my favorite receiver in the class. He’s an explosive, twitchy route runner who thrives in all phases of playing the position. Kevin O’Connell likes to have wide receivers who are well-rounded, and Concepcion fits the bill.

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Second round: Germie Bernard, Alabama

Speaking of well-rounded receivers, Bernard is arguably the best fit in this class for the Vikings. He plays a very similar game to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but he’s available in round two because he doesn’t have the requisite twitch to be a truly elite player. His route running and YAC ability will immediately translate to the Vikings’ offense.

Third round: Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee

Brazzell is one of the weirder profiles in this class. He’s 6-5 and 200 pounds with quick, twichy movements in space, but struggles at the catch point. He doesn’t showcase a desire to go up and get the football. In his career, Brazzell caught just 20 passes on 49 contested catch attempts, which isn’t great for a player with his size profile. However, there is still a lot to like with his athleticism and movement skills, and it’s worth betting on.

Fourth round: Ted Hurst, Georgia State

If you want an X-receiver outside of Denzel Boston in the top-40, Hurst is your guy. At 6-4 and 200 pounds, Hurst is really interesting. He played at Georgia State and was the top receiver. His numbers aren’t as great as they could have been elsewhere due to the quarterback play, but he can threaten you deep by stacking cornerbacks and thriving at the catch point.

Fifth round: Bryce Lance, NDSU

If the name looks familiar to you, it should. Bryce is Trey Lance’s brother, but he’s a much different player. Lance gets a lot of comparisons to Christian Watson, and it’s understandable. He is a tall deep threat at 6-3 and 204 pounds who runs a 4.34 40-yard dash and jumped out of the gym at 41.5″. He’s a relatively raw route runner, but there is plenty of room to grow and develop.

Sixth round: Jeff Caldwell, Cincinnati

Caldwell is similar profile to that of Lance. He played for three years at Lindenwood before heading to Cincinnati for his final season. During his one year in the FBS, Caldwell caught 32 passes for 478 yards and six touchdowns. The lack of experience in the FBS is going to be a factor with where he goes in the NFL Draft, but there is a lot to like with a 6-5 receiver who runs a 4.31 40-yard dash.

Seventh round: J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida

Another speedy X-receiver, Sturdivant was a good role player across three schools, including as a freshman All-American in 2022 at Cal. A high school sprinter, Sturdivant is has the juice to gain separation from cornerbacks and thrives running go and over routes. He will be a good special teamer right away with some room to grow.

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