The Minnesota Vikings made some offensive upgrades during free agency in order to surround quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with better weapons to be successful. They traded for Mike Wallace while releasing Greg Jennings and have Charles Johnson back for his first full season with the team. However, the team is not stopping there as they begin to eye several wide receivers in the NFL Draft.
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Louisville standout DeVante Parker is set to meet with Vikings officials prior to the draft. With the No. 11 pick in the draft, the Vikings could easily grab Parker early with both Amari Cooper and Kevin White expected to before him. During his Pro Day, Parker said he is meeting with four teams right now including the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers. He would be the perfect addition to the Vikings offense with his 6-foot-2 frame and 4.45 40-yard dash time.
The interest in a rookie receiver brings up the question of whether or not Cordarrelle Patterson's future is safe in Minnesota. So far the former first-round draft picks time with the team has been disappointing. Patterson appears to have potential, but simply cannot find his stride with the Vikings. According to Mark Craig of the Minnesota Star Tribune, Patterson is gaining interest on the trade market as teams like the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins have eyed his skillset, but the Vikings do not appear ready to give up on the receiver just yet.
"No, no chance whatsoever," head coach Mike Zimmer said, via NBC. "Cordarrelle is a young, emerging player who was with his third coordinator in three years. Quite frankly, we need to do a good job of figuring out how we can use him better and he needs to understand where he's supposed to be, the routes and everything."
If the Vikings were to land a top prospect in the draft, it would surprise no one if they shop Patterson around to teams still in need of one more option. While Zimmer is making it clear that the Vikings are invested in Patterson, the coach has also expressed his frustration with the receiver and his inability to learn the offense. If Patterson stays put this year, it will be critical that he improves or he could be on the move at any time.