The Minnesota Vikings may still consider drafting a wide receiver in Round 1, despite expectations. With Pick No. 18, several options remain viable for the team.
Gary A. Vasquez
Will the Minnesota Vikings ultimately draft a wide receiver in Round 1 on Thursday night? Probably not. Can a wide receiver be ruled out for the Vikings in Round 1? Probably not. The following is the case for a 1st-Round receiver as Minnesotaās pick ā and itās really not that wacky.
Wide receiver remains a live possibility for Minnesota at No. 18.
If the Vikings are in the mood for this, there are plenty of options at Pick No. 18.
This is the case for a Round 1 wideout in purple.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison tracks the ball and secures a touchdown catch during first-quarter action against the Green Bay Packers, with the play unfolding on Sep 29, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The early score gives Minnesota momentum as Addison finishes the play in stride during a divisional road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
While it's not expected, the chances remain alive for the Vikings to draft a wide receiver in Round 1.
There are several viable wide receiver options available for the Vikings at Pick No. 18.
The Vikings might consider a wide receiver in the first round to enhance their offensive capabilities and depth.
Pick No. 18 is significant as it allows the Vikings to select from a range of talented players, including wide receivers.
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1. Jordan Addisonās Behavior Is Unpredictable
Addison has been arrested three times since the Vikings drafted him in 2023, and he also missed a team walkthrough in London last year.
At any minute ā unfortunately ā the guy could do something dumb and be sidelined indefinitely or flat-out off the roster. Thatās the risk with Addison. Keeping that in mind, having a contingency plan in-house, like Arizona Stateās Jordyn Tyson or Indianaās Omar Cooper Jr., isnāt the worst idea ever.
2. The Previous WR3, Jalen Nailor, Left
Nailor picked new pastures this offseason, choosing the Las Vegas Raiders, which is where he grew up. The Vikings have no WR3 ā unless they trust the next guy on this list.
If there is no vivid WR3, a team should draft one, right? Thatās the mentality here, as the Vikings could get richer than most at WR3 by picking a Round 1 wideout.
3. Nobody Knows if Tai Felton Is Any Good
Felton, a 3rd-Round pick by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah last year, played 26 offensive snaps as a rookie. Minnesota went out of its way not to play Felton by trading for a washed Adam Thielen. Not a good sign.
Thereās a chance that Felton blossoms this summer. But what if heās simply another Adofo-Mensah bust? You guessed it ā Minnesota would need a third receiver.
4. The Main Drafter Is an Offense-First Head Coach
When the Vikingsā owners fired Adofo-Mensah, they made Kevin OāConnell the Team CEO through their actions. OāConnell is a former quarterback. An offense guy. Like Mike Zimmer loving cornerbacks, OāConnell might just believe in investing in the offense at all costs.
Therefore, a dynamic extra weapon ā such as 1st-Round WR ā cannot be ruled out.
5. Justin Jefferson Isnāt a Lock to Stick around Forever
Close your eyes and plug your ears. If the Vikings donāt win soon and seriously contend for a Super Bowl, even the nicest of guys (Jefferson) could opt for a change of scenery. Next offseason is when Jefferson could reasonably request a trade, while the Vikings could bow to the request in a wise financial manner.
Suppose Minnesota misses the postseason in 2026, pissing Jefferson off and prompting his agent to look for a way out. See: Randy Moss in 2005. A Jefferson-less Vikings roster would need WRs. If they drafted Tyson or Cooper Jr. in 2026, it wouldnāt feel like doomsday at WR in 2027.
6. A WR Logjam at the Vikingsā Spot
At Pick No. 18, wide receiver is actually a hotspot. These men may be there for the taking:
Not every position is like that. For instance, at defensive tackle, thereās only one player who makes sense at the Vikingsā spot: Peter Woods.
The plentiful options increase Minnesotaās chances of giving in to the WR temptation.
7. The BPA Argument
Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski recently said that he wholeheartedly believes in the ābest player availableā philosophy. What if a) heās telling the truth? b) that player is Jordyn Tyson, for example?
Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson lines up and surveys the defense during game action against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Mountain America Stadium, with the moment captured on Oct 18, 2025 in Tempe. Tysonās presence highlights the Sun Devilsā passing attack as he works through coverage in a Big 12 matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Heād have to put his money where his mouth is.
8. Drafting WRs Is What the Vikings Do Best
In the last 35 years, the Vikings have drafted these wide receivers:
They also found Adam Thielen in undrafted free agency and gave Cris Carter his big chance, which turned into a Hall of Fame career.
This is what the Vikings do ā find stud WRs. Why would they stop now?
9. WR Is a Premium Position; Safeties Are Not
The draft frontrunners for the Vikings right now are safeties: Dillon Thieneman and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. Thatās all fine and dandy, but safety is not a premium NFL position. Teams can find a decent safety for half the price of an equally productive wide receiver in free agency. And that statement isnāt debateable.
Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. completes a touchdown catch during College Football Playoff semifinal action in the Peach Bowl against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the play unfolding on Jan 9, 2026 in Atlanta. The scoring grab boosts Indianaās offense in a high-stakes postseason showdown under bright lights. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-Imagn Images.
Not all NFL teams honor this philosophy, but if the Vikings do, it should wipe a 1st-Round safety off their radar. That would clear the way to examine Tyson, Cooper, Concepcion, or Boston.