The Minnesota Vikings still have a hole to fill at wide receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. With Jalen Nailor moving on in free agency, they’ll need to add depth either through the draft, bringing in a veteran who’s still available, or both.
Minnesota doesn’t necessarily need a star for that third spot. What matters more is finding someone reliable who can make plays when called upon, handle a bigger role if needed, and be ready to step in if injuries arise during the season.
As for a potential option, the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling noted that DeAndre Hopkins, who was teammates with Kyler Murray during their time with the Arizona Cardinals.
“I think, if they could find a veteran — I mean DeAndre Hopkins name has come up… if you could get a guy in here like a Hopkins, that has rapport with Kyler Murray — it depends on what he wants to play for, it depends on what he wants his role to be,” Goessling said on April 14 during during a radio spot on KFAN.
Moreover, Hopkins has already pitched himself to the Vikings. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Hopkins said he would like to reunite with Murray and be Minnesota’s WR3 this upcoming 2026 NFL season.
“Kyler … that’s my bro, man. Kyler is like family,” Hopkins said in a TMZ article published on March 22. “Whatever I can do for someone like that — if Kyler needed me, if the Vikings need me, they know I’ll be there.”
The 33-year-old spent last season with the Baltimore Ravens, recording 22 receptions for 330 receiving yards, averaging 15.0 yards per reception, and two touchdowns.
Could the Vikings Bring Back a Familiar Face?
Meanwhile, 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. “He pleaded 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 the Minnesota 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.”
Diggs, who spent last season with the New England Patriots, recorded 365 receptions for 4,623 yards and 30 touchdowns in 70 games during his career with the Vikings, per StatMuse.
Stefon Diggs Could Benefit From Return to Minnesota
Moreover, Podell believes that Diggs would benefit from being the third option for Minnesota, and giving potential starting QB Kyler Murray three reliable wideout options will provide the Vikings the best opportunity to reach the playoffs in the upcoming 2026 season.
“Kevin O’Connell wasn’t the coach in Minnesota when Diggs departed to the Buffalo Bills via a 2020 trade request, and he needs to get Minnesota back to the playoffs in 2026 after a disastrous 2025 with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback,“ Podell wrote.
“Providing Kyler Murray with three high-caliber wideouts would certainly be helpful toward that cause. Plus, Diggs wouldn’t have to work as hard to get open as he ages playing alongside Jefferson and company.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Kyler Murray Gets Big Update on WR3 Role From Vikings Insider appeared first on Heavy Sports.