So as of right now, the depth at the WR position on the Vikings roster is at 11, being that A.J. Love was cut the other day. Greg Childs will also be on the IR for the season most likely. And it is likely that that number will be trimmed down to 5, maybe 6. Those on the roster currently are Percy Harvin, Michael Jenkins, Jerome Simpson, Jarius Wright, Greg Childs, Stephen Burton, Bryan Walters, Kerry Taylor, Kamar Jorden, Devin Aromashodu and Manny Arceneaux.
I think it's clear that Harvin and Simpson are locking up two of the roster spots. The question is, who should the remaining 3 to 4 be? Training camp is going to be crucial in determining this. But I think we can start to make some projections. Jarius Wright has been impressing since his college days and I've seen lots of people already giving him a roster spot. So that will be three.
One concern I have is with Jenkins. Videos I've seen and reports I've read say he doesn't look healthy, that he's sluggish, not really shinning out on the field. I understand that he has the most experience in the WR group, but is that worth keeping him around? I personally would say no. The team as a whole wishes to get younger and stronger, and Jenkins is counter productive on both counts at this point. So scratch him.
Greg Childs tore both right and left Partellar tendons on 8/4/12 so he will out for the entire season, resulting that he will not turn out to be the steal of the draft. That means one, maybe two WRs will make the roster. So lets start...
Bryan Walters was an off season signing from the Chargers to provide depth at the position. Nothing super impressive has come from him thus far in training camp. Kamar Jorden has hurt his wrist, which was wrapped heavily on 8/4/12 and has a good chance of making the practice squad. Walters will likely be cut due to talents on the rest of the roster.
This leaves Stephen Burton, Devin Aromashodu and Manny Arceneaux whom are all returning receivers from last year. We have one, maybe two spots on the roster remaining. Stephen Burton has has just started to practice to show if he has made significant progress from last year or not. Manny showed some progress in practice so far, reports saying that he appears to have improved his route running and not being just a deep threat, which is a positive thing. At the same time, Ponder and Aromashodu showed some chemistry last season. With recent practices, Arceneaux might beat out Aromashodu for a roster spot, leaving the final spot for Aromashodu or Burton. Being Burton has just started practice, I'm going to say Aromashodu will likely make the last roster spot, unless Burton really flashes in the coming weeks. But still a good chance he'll remain on the practice squad.
So my final WR depth chart would look like this:
Percy Harvin
Jerome Simpson
Jarius Wright
Greg Childs (IR for the season)
Manny Arceneaux
Devin Aromashodu
Practice Squad:
Stephen Burton
Kamar Jorden
However, if it is determined to have 6 on the roster, I believe that Jenkins will remain on the roster also. If it isn't expanded to 6, I believe that Musgrave will want to keep Jenkins due to their history from the Falcons and him being the longest veteran on the receiver depth position. If this happens, I believe that Arceneaux will be replaced by Jenkins unless he continues to really perform, then it will likely be Aromashodu.
While we still don't have a clear #1 receiver outside of Harvin, it's good to at least have some young talent on the team that does show some promise of growth for our young QB. However, having that lack of a #1 could result in the Vikings taking a close look at Woods or Allen in next years draft.
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