Minnesota Vikings are hosting talented receiver over two days who’s a great fit. Here’s how they get it done
After the NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings still need a wide receiver. They may have found that player, and he’s heading in for a visit.
The Minnesota Vikings exited the NFL Draft with nine picks at positions of need. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to get a wide receiver in the NFL Draft. There were a multitude of options at other positions, but it didn’t happen.
With the Vikings’ choice to attack other positions, it left a gaping hole on the outside. Now, the Vikings have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but there is very little depth. Tai Felton is currently in line to be WR3, and it’s far from an inspiring choice.
Luckily for interim general manager Rob Brzezinski, there are options available, and one of them is heading to Minnesota.
Jauan Jennings is visiting Minnesota Vikings
On Tuesday and Wednesday, former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings is visiting the Vikings, potentially giving them a WR3 option they can count on.
Jennings was a seventh-round pick by the 49ers in the 2020 NFL Draft. He didn’t start playing offense until the 2021 season, and he was a consistent role player for the next three years. In 2024, Jennings took a big step forward when he caught 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns. With injuries to both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, he stepped up and led the team in targets.
This past year, his production dipped a little bit. He caught 55 passes for 643 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. He’s a net positive as a receiver in multiple ways, showing the ability to win on breaking routes with his 6-3 and 212-pound frame.
He would be an interesting fit for the Vikings. As a WR3, Jennings can line up all over the formation and run the full route tree. He’s at his best running as a power slot, where Jennings can win with a two-way go and use his powerful frame to box out cornerbacks.
That frame is also where a lot of intrigue lies. He can be used as an extra blocker in the running game. Whatever personnel you run, Jennings can help you maximize it. He can take on bigger defenders than a standard wide receiver, allowing you to have lighter boxes to run at.
A contract is interesting to parse out
When it comes to a contract, Jennings not having signed yet is interesting. He doesn’t turn 29 until July, and been relatively productive. Why is he still available at this point in the offseason? It’s likely that nobody has been willing to pay him a requisite contract.
Pro Football Focus has his contract valued at $5o million over three years, $16.67 million per year. That is a lot of money for a WR3 (29th-highest in the NFL), and potential Vikings interest could have been predicated on a Jonathan Greenard trade.
If the Vikings are willing to offer any kind of serious term, it will send a major signal about the future of the offense, especially from a blocking perspective. The intrigue here is with Frank Smith, whom the Vikings hired as an assistant coach this offseason. Seeing him sign wouldn’t be a surprise, and, with less than $20 million in career earnings, Jennings is likely looking for a payday. However, the fact that they wouldn’t match the contract Jalen Nailor received (3 years, $35 million), a deal would likely come in less than that.
Prediction: 3 years, $30 million, $20 million guaranteed, or 1 year, $12 million fully guaranteed