The Minnesota Vikings will again feature a potential top wide receiver duo with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison next season. But that doesn’t mean the Vikings won’t add a receiver in the later rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Should that happen, Minnesota targeting a potential sleeper such as CJ Daniels could make a lot of sense.
The Vikings are doing their research on Daniels two weeks ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL writer Arye Pulli reported Wednesday the Vikings are hosting Daniels on a pre-draft visit.
Pulli called the wideout a natural pass catcher and Day 3 sleeper.
“Daniels, one of the most natural pass catchers in this class, will also visit the Dolphins soon, a source says,” wrote Pulli on X. “He is a legitimate Day 3 sleeper.”
Last season for the Miami Hurricanes, Daniels posted 50 receptions for 557 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He did that while playing his first campaign for Miami.
To begin his college career, Daniels spent four seasons at Liberty and one year at LSU.
Over six college seasons, he amassed 198 receptions, 2,996 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns.
Why Hurricanes WR CJ Daniels Could Be a Day 3 Sleeper
Daniels wasn’t quite able to replicate the success he had at Liberty while playing for either LSU or Miami.
But with the Hurricanes, Daniels was part of a trio that each eclipsed the 500-yard receiving mark last season. It helped that the team played in 16 games.
Daniels has developing to do in most areas to become an NFL receiver. But his catching ability will keep him on a lot of draft boards, particularly in the late rounds.
“Daniels has a tremendous feel for creating catch opportunities with varied route tempo, body control and late separation tactics,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “He will struggle against a quality press and might need to be schemed into releases against certain corners.
“Daniels excels in putting himself between the throw and the defender, winning contested catches at a high rate during his time at LSU (2024) and Miami (2025). He’s confident, crafty and focused, but he’s average after the catch and unlikely to help on special teams, so his road to a roster spot will be challenging.”
The Vikings could have multiple opportunities to select Daniels if his visit goes well with the team. Minnesota has five Day 3 picks, including three in the seventh round.
Vikings WR Depth Chart Entering 2026 NFL Draft
Jefferson and Addison are one of the better wideout tandems in the league. But behind them, the Vikings could use additional depth going into the 2026 campaign.
In 2026 NFL free agency, Vikings WR3 from last season, Jalen Nailor, signed a 3-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. The team’s next-best receiver from yardage standpoint last year was Adam Thielen, who didn’t finish 2025 with the Vikings.
Then this offseason, Thielen retired.
Based on last season’s production, Tai Felton is Minnesota’s current WR3. But he had only three catches for 25 yards during 2025.
Other than Felton, the Vikings have receivers Myles Price, Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming and Joaquin Davis on their offseason roster.
Overall, the Vikings have nine selections in the 2026 NFL Draft. Given their receiver depth chart, it would be a little surprising if one of those nine picks wasn’t a wideout.
If Minnesota targets the position on Day 3, Daniels is a possibility.
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