Minnesota Vikings: Seek Wide Receivers in 2015 NFL Draft

There’s no denying the fact that the Minnesota Vikings are in need of an offensive weapon. With a quarterback in Bridgewater, which seems to be the future, he’s going to need somebody to throw to. Granted the Vikings could use help on both sides of the ball, the most important need is getting a wide receiver. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports, Adrian Peterson will never play for the Vikings again, so they need someone new on their offense. Someone that will bring their own game.

It’s time for a new threat.

When Greg Jennings is surprisingly leading your team in receiving yards… it’s time to make some moves. (Not taking anything away from Jennings, of course.) Cordarrelle Patterson not being what the Vikings needed yet still being a threat and the rest of the receivers not making any noise, it’s about time for a new threat. With plenty of great receivers in the upcoming draft, it would be completely out of the ordinary for the Vikings not to snag one up.

Devante Parker, Louisville

Nov 29, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) runs the ball against Kentucky Wildcats defensive tackle Cory Johnson (67) during the second half at Papa John

Parker would be a great fit for Vikings. Why? Well, he happens to be the former teammate of Teddy Bridgewater. They say chemistry is key in all sports and they certainly would have the chemistry bubbling. Parker is 6’3” and weights in at 211 pounds. That’s some freakish size right there. He has great body size and strength to grab jump balls. After all he has as an impressive 36-inch vertical leap, making impossible jump balls seem effortless.

Excellent hands that stick like glue. Statistically, he has had three dropped balls since 2012. If you watch his highlight tapes or any Louisville games, you’ll see him grab almost anything. He’s a very reliable receiver. On top of that he has great control over his body like Odell Beckham Jr. does. Parker is a solid route runner and proved he can be a possession receiver.

Parker would be exactly what the Viking’s need if they want to turn their offensive game around. Also, if they draft him, it might make Bridgewater more comfortable on and off the field

NFL Comparisons: Alshon Jeffery/Hakeem Nicks

Amari Cooper, Alabama

Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) runs after a catch against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the third quarter of the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Every mock draft you see has Cooper going top five and to be quite honest, it’s pretty obvious to see why. Cooper is almost unstoppable. Being a Heisman Trophy finalist and totaling 124 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns is pretty impressive. Cooper is without a doubt one of the best receivers going into this draft. At 6’1”, 210 pounds, Cooper is a thick receiver, great route runner, and overall amazing receiver.

Cooper had several 200-plus yard receiving games, one of them being against nationally ranked Auburn in which he had 224 yards and caught three touchdowns. Cooper dashes down the field game after game being a threat in all areas. IF by any chance Cooper falls out of the top ten, there’s no reason as to why the Vikings should not snag him up with the 11th pick.

NFL Comparisons: Sammy Watkins/Marvin Harrison.

Kevin White, West Virginia

Dec 29, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Kevin White (11) catches a pass during the game in the 2014 Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Texas A&M Aggies beat West Virginia Mountaineers 45 – 37. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

You never really heard much on Kevin White throughout the NCAA season, mostly because it was all about Amari Cooper. White had a quiet season after transferring from a JUCO school. His game is about being aggressive and dominating. He’s been talked about more than Cooper since the season ended because of his style of play, and athletic ability.

White set the tone form the start of the combine by running a very impressive 4.35, 40-yard dash – the fastest of these three. He has great speed and is a fantastic route runner. Being able to stop in a split second to make a cut can make all of the difference whether he gets open or not. Another great aspect to White’s game is his aggressiveness after catching the ball; he’s a force to bring down. After all he is 210 pounds. This man has NFL size.

White would be a great addition wherever he goes, his size to speed ratio is great compared to others. He’s a big receiver with good speed and hands; overall a great receiver. If he’s not picked up by the time the Vikings have their pick, don’t be surprised if they land this stud.

NFL Comparisons: Larry Fitzgerald/DeAndre Hopkins

Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham catches a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

For starters, Green-Beckham is just huge. He has a massive frame at 6’5”and 237 pounds. The impressive part? He’s extremely athletic. Now let’s not jump to conclusions and assume he has Calvin Johnson-like athleticism, but it’s not too far off.

Green-Beckham had himself a day at the combine. He ran a 4.49 in the 4o-yard dash, put up the bench 13 times, and leaped to a 33.5-inch vertical leap. For someone who is that big, those are great numbers. Even for someone smaller than him those would be good numbers.

Green-Beckham had a quiet year, good yet quiet. Catching 59 receptions for 883 yards, and snagging 12 touchdowns along the way. With his size, it’s almost impossible to get bodied out of a jump ball; jump balls would be his specialty. He has great hands and runs routes very smoothly. While he has some problems breaking away from press coverage, he is still able to find his way down the field and to get open.

There’s one problem though; Green-Beckham couldn’t to keep to himself. He kept getting in trouble, and for a lot of NFL teams they aren’t going to want to deal with that. They’re looking for trust in their receivers, and the question is. Will he be able to change his ways? If he can do that and prove that he has changed his character, teams will regret not picking him up.

For the Vikings, Green-Beckham would fit in nicely to the system. Bridgewater would have a big threat to throw to who would have the potential to be outstanding. It takes the pressure off Patterson and Jennings. If by any chance the Vikings find their way into not picking up Parker, White, or Cooper, Dorial Green-Beckham would be a very above average pick for them.

NFL Comparisons: Justin Hunter/Calvin Johnson

At the end of it all, most Vikings fans would agree it’s time for a big name receiver. Consider the last time a Vikings receiver had at least 1,000 yards in a season was in 2009 (Sidney Rice).

Now would be the time to see the team bring in a big name at the position and start something special.

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