Veteran star DeAndre Hopkins surfaces in Vikings rumors again. Can Minnesota afford a bold move to bolster its receiver corps and break through?
The Minnesota Vikings are looking for their third wide receiver heading into the 2026 season. And while they may look within, some are speculating the team might try to add a third option in free agency.
NFL veteran star DeAndre Hopkins is among the players that the Vikings have been tied to through fan speculation. And while Hopkins might make sense on paper, it's unclear he makes sense to Minnesota executives looking to make wise financial decisions.
The Vikings can ill afford to make a wrong move given their difficult salary cap situation. Still, one writer shares that they may not have the right option in house.
Dave Holcomb of Heavy detailed why some are looking to the Vikings to add Hopkins in free agency. Here's what he had to say about where the team's wide receiver depth stands now.
"During the 2026 NFL Draft, Minnesota didn’t add any receivers despite making nine selections. Most of the team’s early picks addressed defensive needs for the Vikings. Of the nine selections overall, only four of them were offensive players. And one of those four offensive picks was a fullback.
After the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings added four undrafted wide receivers. Those wideouts were Georgia’s Dillon Bell, Maryland’s Shaleak Knotts, Georgia Southern’s Marcus Sanders, and Arizona’s Luke Wysong. Still, it’s hard to feel good about Minnesota’s receiving depth when the team might be counting on a late-round 2025 pick or undrafted free agent to be a WR3.
Felton currently appears to own that role on the Vikings depth chart. As a rookie last season, Felton had three catches for 25 yards. Nailor was the team’s WR3 with 29 catches and 444 receiving yards last season. Nailor led the Vikings with 15.3 yards per reception."
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Deandre Hopkins (10) makes a catch against New England Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis III (7) during the second half of the game at M&T Bank Stadium. James Lang-Imagn ImagesHopkins may be a shell of the receiver he once was production-wise, but that assertion is inconclusive. Hopkins has not seen the same number of targets of late and is still putting up high yards per reception totals. The veteran receiver is hanging around 14.0-15.0 yards per reception which is nothing to look down upon at this stage of his career.
Whether or not he is ultimately viewed as a difference maker depends wholly on what the Vikings prioritize and how he fits within the organization. We have not seen much interest from Minnesota to make the move. Still, we won't rule out the potential addition as the Vikings look to break through to the playoffs in 2026.