Vikings May Not Be Done Adding Big-Name WRs

The Minnesota Vikings signed Jauan Jennings earlier this month, an emphatic addition to the WR room, and according to Bleacher Report, the franchise should also pursue Jennings’s former teammate, Deebo Samuel.

Minnesota’s wide receiver room could still have room for one more bold swing.

Samuel popped up on a BR free agency list, with the Vikings listed as a possible destination.

A Crowded WR Room Could Make Vikings Incredibly Dangerous

BR: Vikings a Fit for Samuel

Samuel remains on the open market, and BR’s Alex Kay wrote this week, “The Washington Commanders moved on from Deebo Samuel after a single season, but the 30-year-old wideout should still have something left to offer another team as he gears up for his third NFL act. Samuel can be a dangerous playmaker when he possesses the football.”

“He’s amassed 800 or more yards from scrimmage and scored at least four touchdowns in all six of his healthy seasons — only missing those marks during an injury-shortened 2020 sophomore effort — and averages nearly 11 yards per touch on his career.”

Samuel felt like a reasonable Vikings option before the Jennings addition, but after, most just assumed that Minnesota was done adding WRs.

Kay added, “While Samuel wasn’t a great fit in Washington and was limited by the lack of talent under center following Jayden Daniels‘ injury woes, he still managed to score six touchdowns on just 89 touches in 2025. He was a YAC machine — nearly two-thirds of his receiving yardage came after the catch — and he can be relied on to churn respectable gains if he gets the ball in space at his next stop.”

“Any team seeking a versatile weapon who can line up at multiple offensive positions, as well as contribute on special teams, should have interest in Samuel. Potential Landing Spots: Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots”

Samuel’s Resume

Samuel’s body work is more than enough for the Vikings’ WR3-WR4 role. Since entering the NFL in 2019, he has established himself as a legitimate starting-caliber weapon in San Francisco and Washington. He accumulated a 1,405-yard season with San Francisco in 2021, an 892-yard campaign in 2023, and a 727-yard performance with Washington in 2025. His profile is quite appealing alongside Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and the aforementioned Jennings.

Additionally, his versatility is a huge asset. Samuel has been more than just an ordinary wide receiver; he has excelled at running the ball, outperforming many of his peers in this area. Over seven seasons, he has amassed more than 1,200 rushing yards and scored 21 touchdowns on the ground, providing Minnesota with a versatile player who infuses creativity into their offense. Twenty-one rushing scores for a wideout is staggering.

While his burst may not match his earlier days, the Vikings wouldn’t need him to be the primary offensive option. Instead, they would rely on him to excel as a WR3 or WR4, stretch defenses horizontally, and provide head coach and playcaller Kevin O’Connell with another avenue for creating easy touches.

The Vikings’ WR group would like this if BR has it right:

The Price Tag

Minnesota isn’t swimming in money right now to afford Samuel, but most also didn’t believe it would sign Jennings for $8 million. At this juncture of free agency — it’s nearing three months old — Samuel will likely sign somewhere on a deal worth $8 million to $10 million.

Or — if the Jennings discount shines through, a team might offer $6 million or so and call it good. The longer the summer wears on, Samuel’s value may diminish.

The Vikings would have to determine whether Samuel’s would-be workload in the offense would be worth $6 million to $10 million.

Unlimited Firepower

During a normal Vikings season over the last decade, fans are lucky if the club has a WR room three prominent players deep, let alone four. For example, Jalen Nailor was considered a hot commodity in 2024 and 2025, and he’s never totaled over 500 receiving yards in a season.

Employing Jefferson, Addison, Jennings, and Samuel would be absurd — in the best possible way.

Signing Samuel would also hedge the bet against injury. Suppose Jefferson tweaked his hamstring, as he did in 2023. The Vikings would turn to Addison, Jennings, and Samuel, and in no way, shape, or form would it feel like doomsday. Before the Jennings addition, Jefferson missing any games in 2026 with the proposed WR setup would’ve implied disaster.

Samuel will turn 31 during the playoffs this season.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker