National media outlet predicts Vikings will sign former Pro-Bowler this offseason
Pro Football Focus thinks the Minnesota Vikings should sign a former Pro Bowl wide receiver this offseason. PFF's Brad Spielberger put together a list of the best landing spots for some of the top wide receivers this week and he thinks former Pro Bowler DJ Chark would be a good fit with the Vikings. In […]
Pro Football Focus thinks the Minnesota Vikings should sign a former Pro Bowl wide receiver this offseason.
PFF's Brad Spielberger put together a list of the best landing spots for some of the top wide receivers this week and he thinks former Pro Bowler DJ Chark would be a good fit with the Vikings.
In Spielberger's scenario, the Vikings aren't able to re-sign wide receiver Adam Thielen
The Vikings will reportedly work to keep wide receiver Adam Thielen in the fold going forward, but there is no guarantee the two sides work things out, so here we have them finding a replacement in the speedy D.J. Chark Jr.
Chark is not quite the route-running technician that Thielen has been over his career, but you can always use 4.34-second 40-yard dash speed with a 6-foot-4 frame. Thielen started to show some signs of aging, as well, in 2022, struggling at times to create short-area separation — which had always been a strong suit for him. With Chark, the Vikings get a downfield threat who can take the top off opposing defenses, clearing room for his former LSU teammate in Justin Jefferson and also taking a playmaker away from the division rival Detroit Lions. Tight end T.J. Hockenson will also have more room to operate over the middle.
Chark, who was teammates in 2017 at LSU with Justin Jefferson, reached the Pro Bowl in 2019 after catching 73 passes for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns.
Unfortunately for Chark, he hasn't been able to replicate his success from the 2019 season.
Chark has also never played a full season. In 2021, Chark played in only four games due to injury. This past season, he played in 11 games and caught 30 passes for 502 yards and three touchdowns.
Thielen's production has also dropped in recent seasons, but he's still a better option for the Vikings than Chark. If Minnesota can find a way to keep Thielen, they need to go that route instead of signing Chark to a free-agent deal.
Featured image via Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
