The Vikings could add a new pass catcher in the draft, via trade, and in free agency. A couple of speedy guys could be intriguing options for the purple team. The contracts of the two speed demons, DJ Chark and Mecole Hardman, expire when the new league year begins on March 15, and they are available on the open market. A new player entered the pool of free-agent receivers.
A New Darkhorse for Vikings WR2 Job Has Emerged
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Robert Woods (2) celebrates his touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Nfl Dallas Cowboys At Tennessee Titans
On Wednesday, news broke that the Tennessee Titans released veteran receiver Robert Woods to save cap space. The move saved the team $12 million in cap space.
Minnesota, especially head coach Kevin O’Connell, could be interested in signing Woods. The two worked together in Los Angeles in 2020 and 2021. O’Connell was the offensive coordinator and right-hand man of Sean McVay, while Woods was part of the one-two punch with Cooper Kupp.
Woods played 25 games in the two seasons with O’Connell until he suffered a torn ACL and missed the second half of the 2021 campaign, including the playoff run. In those 25 games, Woods recorded almost 1,500 receiving yards and ten scores, adding about 300 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Woods was crucial to McVay’s offense, as he was often used as the receiver in motion on jet sweeps. That’s where his receiving numbers come from. O’Connell brought pre-snap motion to Minnesota, but the Vikings didn’t run many jet sweeps, maybe because O’Connell didn’t have the right receiver for that.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods (2) runs past Detroit Lions free safety Tracy Walker III (21) during the first half at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021.
The Vikings’ head coach and Woods could reunite. Woods is a skilled receiver, a great route runner, and technician but doesn’t add explosiveness to the WR room. However, he would be an excellent WR2 if he can stay healthy. Another risk is that he’s turning 31 in April, an age at which receivers can experience a severe dropoff in athleticism.
Woods only recorded 527 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his stint with the Titans in 2022. A problem was certainly that the Titans didn’t throw his way very often and didn’t throw very often in general. The Vikings offense threw on 65% of the plays in 2022, the Titans on 54%. That hurt his numbers just as much as the struggling QB play. Ryan Tannehill started only 12 games, and Joshua Dobbs and Malik Willis were the backups.
It’s certainly possible that Woods won’t have a huge market because of age and recent production. However, the familiarity with O’Connell and the Vikings’ need to add a playmaker could open the door for Woods to come to Minnesota.
Jan 1, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports.
Currently, the Vikings have eight wideouts under contract for 2023 — Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Jalen Nailor, Trishton Jackson, Blake Proehl, and Thomas Hennigan.
A team can never have enough weapons in the passing game, and the Vikings certainly lacked some in 2022. Whenever Jefferson faced up double teams, as he did on most plays, his teammates couldn’t capitalize consistently enough. The best example of that was the final play of the season when neither Osborn nor Thielen could get open. Tight end T.J. Hockenson basically served as WR2 after his trade.
If Woods is available for a relatively cheap deal, the Vikings should give it a shot, especially since younger receivers signed for absurd numbers in recent history, and the top targets at the position could do the same this off-season. Free agency opens on March 13.