The Minnesota Vikings might need some help at wide receiver in the early part of the season.
Jordan Addison will miss the first few games with a suspension. Justin Jefferson has missed the preseason with injury. Jalen Nailor is dinged up, too.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the Vikings “are seriously exploring veteran receivers in the trade market, per sources.”
He also added that Jefferson is on track for Week 1 after dealing with a hamstring issue this month.
Next week is likely the time such a trade would happen. The 53-man roster cutdown day is Tuesday, August 26. So any veteran not in line to make a roster could turn into a trade candidate.
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A name that comes to mind is Kendrick Bourne in New England, where the depth chart is super crowded.
The Packers also have too many wide receivers, although injuries may prevent them from having to move on from anyone too quickly.
The Vikings could also turn toward free agency, where Amari Cooper and Odell Beckham Jr. are both still available.
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None of these solutions are perfect. The Vikings obviously will be looking forward to having Jefferson and Addison together on the field by the end of September.
But with rookie QB J.J. McCarthy taking the reins, Minnesota also can’t afford to be complacent. The Vikings should be trying to set McCarthy up for success.
A veteran addition, wherever that comes from, is the kind of late-summer move that could propel Minnesota into some solid early-season momentum.
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