The Vikings' wide receiver room is starting to take shape on cutdown day in the NFL.
Minnesota has waived Trishton Jackson, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. And per Pelissero's colleague Ian Rapaport, the Vikings have received trade calls on Jalen Reagor.
Jackson being waived is a mild surprise; I had him making it in my most recent 53-man projection. He's a well-rounded wideout who had a strong training camp. The former Rams UDFA out of Syracuse has spent the last two years on the Vikings' practice squad and will almost certainly return there unless he's claimed by another team this week.
It's less surprising that the Vikings are fielding trade calls on Reagor. The former first-round pick was seemingly unable to beat out Brandon Powell for the WR5 and punt returner roles, making him redundant on this roster. Reagor has $2.42 million in fully-guaranteed salary, all of which would be offloaded in a trade. For that reason, the Vikings likely wouldn't get much at all in return.
Reagor, who was famously selected one pick before Justin Jefferson in 2020, was traded from the Eagles to the Vikings a year ago in return for a 2023 seventh and a 2024 conditional fifth. He appeared in every game last season, but averaged just 6.4 yards per punt return with 12 total touches on offense.
During this preseason, Reagor's 91 snaps were more than any other Vikings receiver. He played fairly well, catching eight passes for 93 yards, which may have contributed to the trade interest the Vikings are receiving.
Based on these two news items, it looks like the Vikings may only keep five receivers: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Nailor, and Brandon Powell. That would free them up to potentially keep Nick Muse on the 53-man roster as a fourth tight end or DeWayne McBride as a fifth running back.
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