The Minnesota Vikings are looking at the veteran wide receiver market to fill their WR3 role. On April 28, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported, citing a source, that San Francisco 49ers free agent Jauan Jennings met with the Vikings as he explores his next opportunity in free agency.
Nonetheless, Jennings left Minnesota without signing a contract. As a result, could the Vikings be looking at other potential veteran receivers? Recently, former San Francisco 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel entered the speculation talk when it comes to potential options for the Vikings.
However, there are other landing spots for Samuel other than Minnesota, as FanSided’s Mark Powell writes that the Pittsburgh Steelers would make sense for the 30-year-old.
“The Steelers don’t necessarily have to sign another wide receiver,” Powell wrote in his April 30 article. “They drafted Germie Bernard and special teams ace Kaden Wetjen, who figures to get some run in gadget plays. When you combine those two players, you essentially get Samuel at this point in his career. But you know what’s even better than trying to replicate Samuel’s impact? Signing the actual thing.
“I’m not the biggest fan of Aaron Rodgers at this point in his career, but you can’t tell me he wouldn’t find a way to utilize Samuel. The same can be said of Mike McCarthy, who typically runs three and four wide receiver sets.
“Again, the Steelers don’t have to sign Samuel. For the first time in a long time, they’re relatively set at the wide receiver position. Michael Pittman is fine. DK Metcalf is a bottom-tier WR1. There’s no shortage of weapons. Adding Samuel could put this wide receiver room over the top.”
Vikings Named Potential Landing Spot for Deebo Samuel
When it comes to the Vikings, PFF’s Bradley Locker got the ball rolling on the Samuel speculation to Minnesota.
“The Vikings put an emphasis on retooling their impressive defense in the draft, grabbing Caleb Banks, Jake Golday and Domonique Orange with their first three picks,” Locker wrote in his April 30 article. “However, Minnesota could use more at receiver after losing Jalen Nailor to the Raiders.
“Samuel’s effectiveness has taken a step back over the last two campaigns, but he still finished 2025 with a 70.3 PFF receiving grade and 1.66 yards per route run. Further, Samuel’s 6.5 yards after the catch per reception was fourth among wideouts with 95 or more targets.
“Next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Samuel could help fill Nailor’s void in the slot while infusing more juice after the catch and overall creativity for Kevin O’Connell.”
Last season with the Washington Commanders, Samuel finished with a 69.4 overall PFF grade, ranking 44th out of 81 qualifying wide receivers. His receiving grade was 70.3, placing him 45th at the position.
He totaled 72 catches on 99 targets for 727 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 10.1 yards per reception. Samuel generated 471 yards after the catch and dropped five passes over the course of the season.
Insider Shares Clear Update on Jauan Jennings Visit
Meanwhile, Jennings’ visit with the Vikings lasted from April 28 to April 29, as Minnesota begins looking at options to fill the WR3 role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
As a result, Alec Lewis of The Athletic shared details on what was likely happening during Jennings’ time in the facilities.
“That visit was always kind of an exploratory type of feel, “ Lewis said on the April 30 edition of “The Alec Lewis Show.” “It was never billed as ‘Jauan Jennings is coming here, it’s signing, done deal, over with and done for. ‘It was always more of a, ‘Hey, you come meet us.
“We’re going to spend time with you, see where you’re at, talk through everything, fit, role, what we’re about, what this building is about, and then, obviously, some of the financial ideas with where both sides stand.'”
Steelers Draw Major Deebo Samuel Take Amid Vikings Speculation