The Minnesota Vikings have three established starting wide receivers in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor. Outside of the J-squad, there are still some talented receivers further down the depth chart. Rondale Moore, Jeshaun Jones, Tim Jones, and Tai Felton are all fighting for spots on the 53-man roster.
Two of Minnesota’s depth receivers, Jeshaun Jones and rookie Tai Felton, played at the University of Maryland. Historically, the Vikings have had good luck drafting wide receivers from Maryland, with Stefon Diggs as the prime example.
Felton and Jones probably won’t become the next Stefon Diggs. As polarizing a figure as Diggs is, it would be disrespectful to compare two young, unproven players to one of Minnesota’s best receivers from the past decade. That being said, maybe it’s a good thing that neither of these players is the second coming of Diggs. For instance, in the clip below:
pic.twitter.com/7IClpr17Wn
— 1-1-1-1 (@pahrduve) August 27, 2024
There is some truth to that.
Minnesota already has a miracle worker in Jefferson, but what they lack is a dependable depth wide receiver you’d let your daughter marry. Jefferson is exactly what you want from a receiver on and off the field, but Addison and Nailor are not the most reliable.
As talented as Addison is on the field, his lack of judgment behind the wheel makes him less trustworthy. Nailor’s issues are staying healthy and maintaining game-to-game consistency.
Given Minnesota’s receiver depth situation, does it need another miraculous Maryland wide receiver?
Since 1998, the Vikings have been trying to recreate the Three Deep trio of Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed. There was something so magical about having three dominant receivers who complemented one another. Moss is arguably the greatest vertical threat the league has ever seen, Carter is one of the best possession receivers of all time, and Reed was an underrated yet dominant slot receiver with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 1994 to 1997.
You could make the case that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell are trying to build their own version of Three Deep. The Vikings took Felton in the third round of the 2025 draft because of how well he fits alongside Jefferson and Addison. Jefferson is the superstar receiver who needs no introduction. Addison is the complementary receiver who has the speed to be a deep threat and the route-running savvy to play in the slot. Felton projects as the yards-after-catch guy who can make defenders miss in the open field.
How'd Tai turn this into a TD?! 😲
We're revisiting former @TerpsFootball star WR Tai Felton's 2024 highlight score vs. UConn 👇#TouchdownTuesday x #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/JDpGCQN52U
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) May 20, 2025
As exciting a prospect as Felton is, he’s unlikely to make an immediate impact in his rookie year. The Felton selection was always about 2026 and beyond, when Nailor’s contract expires. Right now, the Vikings need the antithesis of Diggs: a guy who is the same person every day. Someone who understands what their role is and excels at it with no complaints. A quiet and understated model of consistency.
That receiver is already on the roster, and he also played at Maryland. However, it’s the player you’d least expect.
Jeshaun Jones is exactly what the Vikings need right now. An undrafted free agent last offseason, Jones was given $235,000 in guaranteed money, which was the most of any UDFA Minnesota signed on offense.
Jones quickly showed why Adofo-Mensah went out of his way to sign him during last year’s offseason program. His route-running ability, reliable hands, and high football IQ stood out at training camp and the preseason. While he didn’t make the 53-man roster, Jones was offered a futures contract and has looked equally impressive this offseason.
.@jarenhall3 tosses it to @JeshaunJones06 for the score!
📺: @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/c92xnVaBY8
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 17, 2024
The Minnesota Vikings don’t need Tai Felton or Jeshaun Jones to eclipse Stefon Diggs as the best Maryland receiver ever to wear purple and gold. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison will command plenty of attention from opposing defenses. All the team needs is competency and consistency on a week-to-week basis. If the former Terrapins can do the bare minimum, then the offense will be much better for it, and they’ll be destined to succeed.