Now that they know Sidney Rice isn’t going to be back with them next season, the Vikings are starting to look for wide receivers to take his place on the roster.
Their search is focused on a pair of unrestricted free agents who seem like longshots to return to their former teams. John Clayton of ESPN reported Thursday that the team is “in on” Braylon Edwards and James Jones, but that no deal is imminent with either player.
It seemed otherwise with Jones earlier in the day. There were reports that he was close to a deal with the Vikes and his Wikipedia page briefly listed him as a member of the team before changing back to reflect the truth. With Jordy Nelson stepping up for the Packers late last season and Jones desiring a shot a starting job, a return to Green Bay looks unlikely for the four-year veteran. Jones had 50 catches for 679 yards and five touchdowns last season.
Edwards sent out a tweet (since deleted) Wednesday saying that he wants to return to the Jets, but that the team has other plans. Those plans are re-signing Santonio Holmes and signing Nnamdi Asomugha and the Jets are halfway home after getting Holmes’s name on a new contract. Edwards caught 53 passes for 904 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010 and cut down on his drops, but it was clear by the middle of the season that Holmes was the more dynamic receiver in the Jets offense.
Either one of the targeted players would likely slide in alongside Percy Harvin in the starting lineup this season.