With Murray secured, the Vikings scramble to fill receiver voids. Who steps up behind Jefferson and Hockenson for 2026?
There is a calm over the Minnesota Vikings facilities this weekend. The Vikings have answered the biggest question of the offseason: Who will start at quarterback for the team in 2026?
Barring a surprising setback, Kyler Murray will start for the Vikings at signal caller. Who he will throw passes to outside of star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson is anyone's guess.
The signing of Murray has shifted the focus of the team to other question marks. One area of concern is the team's wide receiver depth.
Former Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor is now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders organization which creates a vacancy at the No. 3 receiver spot. Some are wary of a potential trade of No. 2 wide receiver Jordan Addison as well.
Dustin Baker of Vikings Territory discussed what the wide receiver room looks like right now.
"Jalen Nailor is gone — and he’s not coming back, at least not for two or three years. The Las Vegas Raiders enticed him with 35 million bucks and WR1-WR2 duty.
So, Minnesota has a WR3 void, if one assumes that last year’s rookie, Tai Felton, isn’t fully trustworthy for the assignment. Felton barely played on offense in 2025, and one would think the lights could be too bright to hand him the WR3 job with so little action last year.
Still, perhaps Minnesota prepared for Felton’s redshirt rookie season. If so, he’s the new WR3 by default. Otherwise, the Vikings must sign someone like Christian Kirk, Hollywood Brown, or draft another rookie in Round 2 or 3, possibly a player like Malachi Fields from Notre Dame."
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (1) catches a pass against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Brad Rempel-Imagn ImagesIt is uncertain anybody wants to rush Felton into a No. 3 receiver role. In some games, Nailor was the go-to target when opposing defenses focused on stopping Jefferson and Addison. It is difficult to see Felton becoming that in Year 2 barring an unforeseen breakout.
The question then becomes, how important is it to have a top No. 3 receiver?
The Vikings certainly want to build the best possible offense around Murray, especially given the short nature of his contract. Murray signed a one-year contract with the Vikings meaning if this season goes poorly, he has the option to leave in the offseason.
In facilitating a successful season for Murray, is it more important to improve the offensive line or at wide receiver? Perhaps they do both in the NFL draft, but that is something the team could weigh over the next few weeks.