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ESPN.com projecting Vikings take receiver in first-round of 2023 mock NFL draft

jordy mcelroy
·2 min read
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The Minnesota Vikings could have one of the most explosive offenses in the league in 2022, but ESPN.com’s Matt Miller is predicting the team adds even more firepower to the mix in the 2023 NFL draft.

Chalk this one up as Adam Thielen insurance.

The beloved veteran receiver will turn 33 years old next season, and the Vikings could be in a position to start looking for a successor to play opposite of star wideout Justin Jefferson.

So that’s why Miller has the team using a first-round draft pick to take Josh Downs out of the University of North Carolina.

When describing Downs as a player, Miller wrote:

“He’s not the biggest wideout (5-foot-10, 180 pounds), but he had 101 catches for over 1,335 yards and eight touchdowns last season, with all but one of his receptions coming when he was lined up in the slot. He’d be a great fit with Jefferson.”

It can never hurt to have another explosive offensive weapon to bedevil opposing defenses with on the field.

However, the Vikings are likely hoping they could use their future first-round pick elsewhere, while some of their younger talent grow into more prominent offensive roles. The team just went out and spent a sixth-round pick on rookie Jalen Nailor.

And they also still have K.J. Osborn and Ihmir Smith-Marsette as potential breakout stars on the roster. Osborn is already coming off a year where he was right behind Thielen in receiving stats with 52 receptions for 655 yards and seven touchdowns. He held his own playing across from Jefferson when asked to step up at times as the No. 2 receiver.

Of course, a lot can change in a season, but as of right now, the Vikings appear to be set at receiver with or without Thielen.

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Story originally appeared on Vikings Wire