Vikings Territory: What Is The Most Realistic Option For Vikings At WR3?

Press release from Vikings Territory:

July 2, 2021

Olabisi Johnson, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Chad Beebe, K.J. Osborn, Dan Chisena, Blake Proehl, Myron Mitchell, and Whop Philyor – these are the Minnesota Vikings current on-roster options to fill the WR3 position for 2021. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen hold the titles of WR1 and WR2 interchangeably, forming one of the NFL’s top receiving tandems – probably only surpassed by the new supergroup for the Tennessee Titans (A.J. Brown, Julio Jones) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Mike Evans, Chris Godwin).

ranked dead last in the NFL during 2020

Father Kubiak was replaced by Klint Kubiak, son of Gary, this offseason to lead the offense, so it will be telling to determine if WR3 sets are still disregarded. The men share a last name and ate around the same dinner table for 18 years, but that does not equate to acute football-likemindedness. Perhaps Son Kubiak will target the WR3 more frequently.

If the Vikings choose not to add any more external players to the wide receiver room, then the safest best [in terms of a prediction] for a Week 1 starter at WR3 is Chad Beebe. For some stretches of 2019, Olabisi Johnson felt like a surprise late-round discovery, but his second act in 2020 did not secure the title going forward.

The Vikings coaching staff has long adored Beebe. Kirk Cousins targeted him 30 times in 2020 (which almost feels like a big deal for a Vikings WR3), connecting for 201 receiving yards and two touchdowns. One of the scores transpired in redemptive manner against the Carolina Panthers. With less than one minute to go in the 4th Quarter, Beebe hauled in laser touchdown pass from Cousins while trailing Carolina by six points. Beebe was slammed to the turf, hanging onto the football for a game-winning score. Earlier in the contest, he fumbled a punt return that, at the time, was considered a dagger to Minnesota’s chances for victory.

The other options on the roster for WR3 don’t yet have those moments. Therefore, Beebe is probably the incumbent. He’s sure-handed and pretty damn quick on the field, carrying hopes that he can blossom into the bonafide WR3 gig at age 27.

For now, the frontrunner by default is Beebe.

This press release was produced by Vikings Territory. The views expressed here are the author’s own.