3 Options to be the Vikings WR3

With the bulk of free agency in the rearview mirror, the Minnesota Vikings are still searching for a third wide receiver. The exit of Jalen Nailor to the Las Vegas Raiders leaves a hole in the depth chart for Minnesota that they will have to fill before kicking off the 2026 season. The Vikings have 3 avenues of which they can choose from to add their next playmaker. They could pick from the depleted free agency pool, look to make a trade, or select a receiver high in April’s draft. With that in mind, let’s look at 3 realistic options to join Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in the Twin Cities.

1. Keenan Allen, Free Agent

2025 Stats: 17 GP, 81 REC, 777 YDS, 4 TD

Estimated Contract: 1 Year, 3.0 Million Dollars

The first wideout to make the list is former Los Angeles Charger, Keenan Allen. Allen is coming off of his 13th year in a NFL career that started out in San Diego back in 2013. Many Vikings fans will hear his name and instantly remember his 18 catches, 215 yard game against Minnesota in 2023, but he’s not that player anymore. Over the past two seasons (one with LAC and one with the Chicago Bears), Allen has put up 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns on 151 catches. In this new depth role, Allen has thrived at taking pressure off his fellow receivers and has given Caleb Williams and Justin Herbert a safety option that they can trust in. The deal here would be cheap, creating a strong “low-risk, high-reward” option.

2. Rashod Bateman, Trade from Baltimore

2025 Stats: 13 GP, 19 REC, 224 YDS, 2 TD

Contract: 4 Years, 44.8 Million Dollars

2026 Cap Hit: 6.2 Million Dollars

Take a deep breath before getting upset at the contract. As almost every NFL contract is, this deal is not what it seems. In reality Bateman’s contract is 2 years for roughly 17 million dollars total. Bateman, the former Golden Gopher, is best remembered by Minnesota sports fans for his 203 yards and one touchdown when #18 Minnesota took down #10 Penn State back in 2019. Bateman was drafted by Baltimore in 2021 and has had an up and down career in Charm City since. He had his career-best season in 2024 going for 756 yards and 9 touchdowns, while playing second fiddle to Zay Flowers. Bateman’s production tanked last season when the Ravens added DeAndre Hopkins who ate up 330 yards that would have otherwise gone Bateman’s way. The Ravens could look to move off of their former 2021 first round pick, and Minnesota may look to swoop in and bring Bateman back to the land of 10,000 lakes. 

3. Bryce Lance, 2026 Draft from NDSU

2025 Stats: 13 GP, 51 REC, 1079 YDS, 8 TD

Contract: Day 2 Rookie Standard Contract

Marshall, Minnesota native Bryce Lance makes this list as a potential draft steal for the Vikings. Lance spent 4 seasons with the Bison of North Dakota State, starring in his final two seasons for one of the most dominant programs in college football history. Lance is projected as a mid-day 2 pick in this year's draft. Many outlets have him going in the thick of the fourth round. Lance is the 11th ranked receiver in PFF’s 2026 big board. The Vikings do not currently hold a pick in the 4th round, though they do have 5 combined selections in the final three rounds. Taking a chance on Lance would likely see him compete with last year’s third round pick Tai Felton, who did not make an impact on the 2025 team. Lance had 27 total touchdowns in his final 2 seasons with the Bison. That kind of production has the potential to immediately impact the Vikings offense.

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