NFL mock draft 2023: Vikings 7-round projection with trade up to No. 3 for Kirk Cousins replacement
4. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. WR. Parker Washington. 60. Penn State
Vikings can get a better WR2 with Justin Jefferson in Parker Washington
The departure of Adam Thielen this offseason leaves the Vikings wide receiver corps with some real questions. Yes, Justin Jefferson is obviously great and the obvious top target in the passing offense. But the fact of the matter is that the help around him leaves quite a bit to be desired.
K.J. Osborn has flashed in spots, but it’s a complete unknown how he’ll perform in a consistently larger role. Then there is 2022 sixth-rounder Jalen Nailor, former first-round pick by the Eagles Jalen Reagor, Brandon Powell and Blake Proehl. If you don’t look at that group and think that they could use some more help, then I don’t know what to tell you.
Parker Washington is a talented player who could help the Vikings offense a great deal. No, he’s not a 1-for-1 replacement for Thielen but the 5-foot-10, 204-pounder is a solid pass-catcher who could be valuable in the passing game.
He’s not a freak athlete by any stretch, but you can see the crisp and refined route-running out of the slot that make him a target monster. Yes, there are some concerns about the ability to separate athletically, but I don’t see that when you look at his footwork and deception that get him into space. When you also factor in the ability to make guys miss and create after the catch, he’s a nice option.
Given what Thielen provided this offense, that’s something that Washington could come in and be as a secondary option in the passing attack.