Vikings’ Free Agent WR Options May Be Dwindling

It’s fair to argue that the Minnesota Vikings may have the best wide receiver room across the entire league. That’s only true when the top three pass catchers are all available, though. And right now, that’s a serious problem.

Jordan Addison is on the shelf for three weeks due to his “wet reckless” charge stemming back to last summer’s arrest. Justin Jefferson is working his way back at practice finally, and should be fine for Week 1. Unfortunately, Jalen Nailor also looks destined to miss some time with an injury.

That recipe adds up to problems for head coach Kevin O’Connell. The less that first year Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has to work with, the more he has to do on his own. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to bring in wide receiver talent, but the free agent pool is shrinking.

Gabriel Davis eyeing a return to Buffalo

The Vikings wide receiver room has looked thin at times throughout training camp. They lost veteran Rondale Moore for the season, and he was someone they prioritized as a free agent. Short of draft pick Tai Felton, there does not appear to be any down-depth chart options either. The open market still has names, but Gabriel Davis won’t be one of them for long.

Sources: The #Bills are expected to host WR Gabe Davis on a free-agent visit this week after he meets with the #Steelers today.

Davis had his best years in Buffalo, totaling over 3,200 yards and 35 TDs across four seasons (including playoffs). pic.twitter.com/IVtUMv7WUl

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 19, 2025

Last season Gabriel Davis played with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was active for 10 games, and had just 239 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Looking to put the down year, ended by a torn meniscus behind him, he now has a pair of suitors lined up.

The Pittsburgh Steelers brought in Aaron Rodgers this offseason. Although Dianna Russini released reports connecting him with the Minnesota Vikings, O’Connell was set with his “rookie” quarterback. Mike Tomlin gets the leftovers, but Rodgers doesn’t have much to work with in the Steel City either.

If Pittsburgh isn’t the destination, and with an opportunity to return to Buffalo on the docket, it seems likely that Davis will come off the board soon. The Bills used a fourth round pick on Davis in the 2020 draft and he spent the first four years of his career there.

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A level of comfort already established with the organization, and chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen, should make it a smooth re-entry process for Davis and the Bills, should he decide to return..

Where does that leave the MN Vikings?

Once Davis comes off the board, that takes a potential option away from the Minnesota Vikings. Of course, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could have already crossed him off the list on his own. It has seemed like a necessity for the Vikings to add another wide receiver throughout camp, but they have stood pat.

The biggest name still on the open market is 31-year-old Amari Cooper. The former fourth overall pick (2015) was with Cleveland last year prior to being traded to Buffalo. A meeting already happened with Davis and the Bills, and with no agreement, it could suggest that Buffalo isn’t interested in a reunion. Cooper had 547 yards and four touchdowns across 14 games.

Nelson Agholor, Tyler Boyd, D.J. Chark, Jamison Crowder, and even a reunion with Brandon Powell all remain possibilities as well. It’s unclear if Odell Beckham Jr. would be a fit in Minnesota, but he has worked with Kevin O’Connell in the past.

Related: MN Vikings Provide Massive Injury News on Key Wideouts

There’s also the always-looming desire to bring Adam Thielen home. Of course, the Carolina Panthers would be wise to force the Vikings into a hometown tax. But, they may not be inclined to make that sort of a deal before the season starts.

No matter what Minnesota does, or where they turn, it almost seems impossible for the result to be nothing.