Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings need a WR3 to go behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. In free agency, the Vikings saw Jalen Nailor depart for the Las Vegas Raiders, and there’s a question mark about who will replace him.
With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, the Vikings could go this route to find a player who can play that role as a rookie. However, Minnesota could go bargain shopping to find a veteran who can fill the WR3 spot on the depth chart.
In recent weeks, there’s been speculation that the Vikings will go the veteran free-agent route to find that reliable third wideout and add the depth needed should injury strike either Jefferson or Addison.
On SI’s Jonathan Harrison suggested in an April 9 article that free agent Jauan Jennings, who spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers, makes sense for the Vikings.
“Receiver is a position the Vikings could likely look to in the draft, with several mid-round options as intriguing possibilities,” Harrison wrote. “However, if they don’t select a receiver, the Vikings could return to the free agent market for a veteran option. While there are connections on the roster with some of the more established veterans on the market, no possibility has as much intrigue as former 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings.
“Jennings remains one of the most intriguing names on the market. Regularly ranked as one of the top 50 free agents heading into the offseason, the 28-year-old is still without a deal. The assumption is that the former seventh-round pick is asking too much. In fact,one anonymous head coach told The Athletic at the owners’ meetings that Jennings has ‘Outplayed his talent.'”
Could Vikings Offer Jauan Jennings a Prove It Type of Deal?
Moreover, Harrison notes that if Jennings’ market doesn’t materialize as the player had hoped, the Vikings could take advantage of the situation and offer the wideout a prove-it one-year contract.
“That’s where the Vikings can come in and offer Jennings a lifeline. Minnesota doesn’t need a top one- or two-receiver. They need a solid third, or even fourth, option behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Normally, that wouldn’t be ideal for a guy trying to prove that he’s worthy of a big deal. However, look at what Jalen Nailor just got from the Raiders.
“Nailor was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft, who, after two solid seasons as the Vikings’ third option, got a three-year, $35 million deal with Las Vegas. If Jennings has talked himself out of a big-money deal this offseason, then playing well for a season in Minnesota can be a springboard to a big contract next season.”
Minnesota Listed a Landing Spot for Other Veteran Wideout
Jennings isn’t the only veteran being suggested that the Vikings should pursue. For CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell, he predicts Minnesota will go for a familiar face in Stefon Diggs to fill the wideout role behind Jefferson and Addison, should the veteran wide receiver resolve his legal trouble.
“Diggs’ legal trouble is likely why he remains available,”Podell wrote in his CBS Sports article published on April 3. “Hepleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and other criminal charges following an alleged assault of his personal chef. Diggs’ attorney, Mitchell Schuster, claims his client is ‘completely innocent.’
“If Diggs’ legal process is resolved, a homecoming to theMinnesota Vikings makes plenty of sense. Jalen Nailor departed for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, so there’s an opening at Minnesota’s WR3 spot after 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson and former first-round pick Jordan Addison.”