JUST IN: Vikings Sign Former 1st-Round WR Ahead of 2024 Season
The Minnesota Vikings added N’Keal Harry, a former first-round pick, to their plans for the position in 2024 after facing concerns this offseason.
Harry marked a reserved/future agreement with the Vikings on January 8, guaranteeing the 26-year-old is under team’s control through the offseason.
The 32nd generally pick by the New Britain Nationalists in the 2018 draft, Harry joined the Vikings practice crew for the 2023 season. During training camp, he presented areas of strength to make the 53-man roster prior to experiencing a lower-body injury that prompted his release before the last round of the preseason.
The Vikings signed Harry to the practice squad after the residue settled from 53-man roster cuts around the league. This season, he played in nine games, mostly on special teams.
In five seasons, Harry has gotten 64 passes for 714 yards and five scores. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Harry offers befuddle potential chances to make challenged gets as a solid red-zone weapon.
He’s among 11 players from the Vikings practice squad who have signed/future contracts.
The full list is as follows:
RB Myles Gaskin
WR Trishton Jackson
WR N’Keal Harry
WR Thayer Thomas
RB DeWayne McBride
CB Joejuan Williams
CB Jaylin Williams
LB Abraham Beauplan
T Cory Cronk
G Henry Byrd
G Tyrese Robinson
Vikings Have WR3 Needs With K.J. Osborn Ready With the expectation of free agency
Harry’s signing offers the Vikings choices at wide receiver with the likely flight of third wide receiver K.J. Osborn.
A 2020 fifth-round pick, Osborn didn’t log a solitary hostile snap his rockie year however has formed into a solid choice in the passing game. In his past three seasons, Osborn has arrived at the average of 52 gets, 615 yards receiving and five touchdown.
The wide receiver market has blast as of recent years, for players who aren’t exactly at WR1 status. Adam Thielen got a three-year, $25 million contract with the Carolina Pumas last offseason in spite of entering the league year at 33 years old.
Osborn is supposed to earn a comparable worth in free agency. Spotrac assessed Osborn to get a two-year, $15.1 million contract worth $7.5 million a season, which would rank 38th among wide receiver entering the 2024 free agency period in March.
The Vikings would be imprudent to contend with a proposition like that, particularly taking into account Jordan Addison surpassed the WR2 job this season. There’s possible a value the Vikings will bring Osborn back, yet with all due respect, the possibilities in free agency are probable much better regarding his extended job in one more offense and the remuneration of that job.
The Vikings will probably look inside and possibly add some potential upside free agents or draft possibilities in the offseason to go after the third wide receiver role behind Justin Jefferson and Addison.
Vikings’ Jalen Nailor Should Acquire WR3 Spot
The Vikings wide receiver room is viewed as one of the team’s ideal, yet the possibilities of losing Osborn uncover a serious drop off in on-field creation.
For a considerable length of time, the team has shown preference to 2022 6th round pick Jalen Nailor. Nailor was a player in the draft that wide receiver mentor Keenan McCardell “beat the table” for during pre-draft meetings.
Nailor streaked his freshman year, getting 3 passes for 89 yards and a score in Seven days 17 losses to the Green Cove Packers. Nailor made his initial beginning in a futile season finale against the Chicago Bears, trapping 4-of-5 target for 62 yards.
Be that as it may, in 2023, Nailor battled to remain healthy and set up a useful body of work.
Before being placed on injured reserve in September with a hamstring injury, Nailor battled a lower-leg injury but was able to make the 53-man roster.
Getting back from harmed hold, Nailor played in four games before he arrived in concussion protocol after a hit he had against the Las Vegas Bandits on December 10.
Nailor had three catches for 29 yards in his second season, which was disappointing for the promising receiver prospect.
Modest in school, there were worries over his solidness however invigorated time in NFL and molding programs, Nailor actually has desire to turn into a useful receiver in the Vikings offense.
Nailor, on the other hand, will have to earn his spot next summer.
