After not taking a wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings are looking at the veteran free agent market, as they hosted Jauan Jennings on April 28 and April 29. Nonetheless, Jennings left the Vikings’ facilities without signing a contract.
As a result, Minnesota could be looking at different options to fill that WR3 role that’s vacant after the departure of Jalen Nailor in free agency. Nonetheless, PFF’s Bradley Locker writes that one potential name that could be a fit for the Vikings is Deebo Samuel.
“The Vikings put an emphasis on retooling their impressive defense in the draft, grabbing Caleb Banks, Jake Golday and Domonique Orange with their first three picks,” Locker wrote in his April 30 article. “However, Minnesota could use more at receiver after losing Jalen Nailor to the Raiders.
“Samuel’s effectiveness has taken a step back over the last two campaigns, but he still finished 2025 with a 70.3 PFF receiving grade and 1.66 yards per route run. Further, Samuel’s 6.5 yards after the catch per reception was fourth among wideouts with 95 or more targets.
“Next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Samuel could help fill Nailor’s void in the slot while infusing more juice after the catch and overall creativity for Kevin O’Connell.”
Last season with the Washington Commanders, Samuel finished with a 69.4 overall PFF grade, ranking 44th out of 81 qualifying wide receivers. His receiving grade was 70.3, placing him 45th at the position.
He totaled 72 catches on 99 targets for 727 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 10.1 yards per reception. Samuel also produced 471 yards after the catch and was charged with five drops over the course of the season.
Vikings Insider Issues Clear Update After Jauan Jennings’ Visit
Meanwhile, Jennings’ visit with the Vikings lasted from April 28 to April 29, as Minnesota begins looking at options to fill the WR3 role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
As a result, Alec Lewis of The Athletic shared details on what was likely happening during Jennings’ time in the facilities.
“That visit was always kind of an exploratory type of feel,“ Lewis said on the April 30 edition of “The Alec Lewis Show.” “It was never billed as ‘Jauan Jennings is coming here, it’s signing, done deal, over with and done for. ‘ It was always more of a, ‘Hey, you come meet us.
“We’re going to spend time with you, see where you’re at, talk through everything, fit, role, what we’re about, what this building is about, and then, obviously, some of the financial ideas with where both sides stand.’”
Jauan Jennings Could Still Sign Contract With Minnesota
Moreover, Lewis shared that there’s still a possibility that Minnesota and Jennings reach a contract agreement in the future, even after he left the Vikings’ facilities without signing one.
“Just because Jauan Jennings was visiting, it was never like, ‘If this doesn’t happen, if he walks out of the building by Wednesday, what are we doing? The sky is falling. Do the Vikings even know what’s happening?‘” Lewis added. “Not at all. That’s not, I think, any expectation that that’s what this was about, just probably doesn’t hit the mark.”
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