Vikings training camp preview: Wide receivers and tight ends

Is there a battle for WR3? Who steps in if TJ Hockenson is out?

© David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

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By Matthew Coller

Alright, we continue our series looking at every position on the Minnesota Vikings roster. Here is a dive into the receivers and tight ends and storylines we’ll be watching in July and August….

Starters

Justin Jefferson

The biggest story from minicamp was that Justin Jefferson signed a long-term extension that will keep him in Minnesota for the foreseeable future. That means that the only story regarding Jefferson in training camp will be his chemistry with new Vikings quarterbacks JJ McCarthy and Sam Darnold. Otherwise there isn’t much to see here other than the show Jefferson typically puts on during camp for fans.

Jordan Addison

Addison said that in Year 2 he wants to be better at getting off the line of scrimmage than he was last season. He had a very strong rookie year (which would have been even better if Kirk Cousins hadn’t gone down with a season-ending injury) that included 70 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. Without a clear-cut WR3 and with TJ Hockenson expected to be out for some time there will be additional pressure on Addison to thrive. Similar to Jefferson, his eye-popping camp catches and chemistry with QBs will be most of note in the summer months.

One thing we will be keeping track is whether the Vikings punish Addison for his recent DUI arrest.

Brandon Powell

Prior to 2023, the veteran receiver was largely a punt return specialist. His career high in receiving was 156 yards. During training camp he was battling Jalen Reagor for the returner job but consistently ended up standing out with his route running and eventually he earned the trust of Kirk Cousins. With injuries abound, Powell ended up playing receiver more than expected and handled his duties well with 29 receptions for 324 yards and one game-winning touchdown against the Falcons.

The trust that he earned must have gone pretty far because the Vikings did not go wild in free agency in search for a new WR3 following the exit of KJ Osborn. Can Powell hold off a bevy of receivers that are coming for his job? Can he solidify himself as even more of a weapon within O’Connell’s offense than last year?

TJ Hockenson

The expectation for Hockenson is that he will not be able to play during the first part of the season after his ACL surgery was delayed. We will be keeping tabs on his progress and whether it’s possible for him to participate in anything this summer.

Depth

Wide receivers:

Jalen Nailor

The praise versus performance ratio with Nailor has not been proportionate so far during his young career. O’Connell has seemed excited about the former Michigan State deep threat since the Vikings drafted him but he only has 12 career receptions. Of course, that’s not exactly his fault because Nailor suffered an injury on the first day of camp last year that held him out for a big chunk of the season and then when he did return he got injured again with a concussion. It appears the team would love to see him step and become an additional weapon on top of what they already have in the starting lineup. If it’s going to happen, it probably has to happen this year. Otherwise that praise is going to fade.

Trent Sherfield

The former Cardinal, 49er, Dolphin and Bill had a breakout year in 2022 with 30 catches for 417 yards with Miami but didn’t see the field much in Buffalo last year. He ended the 2023 season with just 11 catches for 86 yards. Sherfield has a lot of experience playing in the slot and outside, which may help him in an offense that asks receivers do handle a lot of different duties. He should get every opportunity to become a depth receiver, especially with his extensive special teams experience in the past.

Tight ends

Johnny Mundt

Mundt has established himself as a very good backup tight end. Over the last two years he has 44 targets and 36 receptions for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Normally that would lock him into a nice TE2/3 role behind Hockenson and he could be used as an extra run blocker, checkdown option or occasional surprise downfield. This year is different though. If Hockenson is out for any extended period of time, either Mundt will need to show in camp that he can play Hockenson’s role in the offense, as he was asked to do in the final two weeks of the season and performed admirably, or the Vikings may have to look to another backup to do the job.

Josh Oliver

Outside of one memorable fumble, Oliver had a solid debut season for the Vikings. He was a tremendous run blocker and caught 22 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. He could also end up being a go-to guy if Hockenson is out for a while.

On the bubble