Vikings Replacing Stefon Diggs With Tajae Sharpe is Insulting to Kirk Cousins
By Jerry Trotta
Minnesota Vikings supporters have been waiting in great anticipation for the organization to find its replacement for star wideout Stefon Diggs, who was traded to the Buffalo Bills last week.
That day has finally arrived, but fans in the North Star State may not be so thrilled about the Vikings' newest addition.
Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Vikings signed free agent receiver Tajae Sharpe, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, to a one-year contract. As things stand, the 25-year-old is expected to slot in as Minnesota's No. 2 receiver alongside Adam Thielen.
Source: Former #Titans WR Tajae Sharpe is signing with the #Vikings on 1-year deal. He’ll likely be the No. 2 alongside Adam Thielen, filling the void left by the Stefon Diggs trade.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2020
With all due respect to Sharpe, his signing is an insult to quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed a two-year contract extension this offseason. Cousins likely would have signed regardless of the talent the Vikings positioned around him, but this is yet another shambolic display from general manager Rick Spielman this offseason.
Are we to assume that the likes of Robby Anderson, Breshad Perriman, and Devin Funchess -- all of whom signed yesterday and are superior talents to Sharpe -- were too expensive to pursue?
Tajae Sharpe received a 72.2 overall grade that ranked 45th among qualifying WRs in 2019
— PFF MIN Vikings (@PFF_Vikings) March 25, 2020
His Passer Rating when targeted ranked 10th #Vikings #SKOL https://t.co/dOJpwNaHtF
The Vikings, according to overthecap.com, have $13.79 million cap space to work with. Perhaps another move is on the way, but Spielman should be ashamed if Sharpe is Minnesota's No. 2 wideout come Week 1 of the 2020 season.