Vikings Take the Plunge on Huge Receiver with Sprinter Speed
No such thing as a moment in time when the team can’t be improved. Accordingly, the Vikings have opted to enhance the receiver depth with the latest signing.
On Tuesday, Minnesota announced the decision to bring receiver Joaquin Davis to the Twin Cities. Doing so follows an earlier workout. The initial landing spot is an opening on the practice squad (both QB Desmond Ridder and RB Corey Kiner have recently been subtracted). The super tall, super fast receiver is now a game day elevation away from trying to take the top off an NFL defense.
Vikings Take the Plunge on WR Joaquin Davis
Craig Peters, who does his writing for the team website, offered some insight on the signing.
Peters clarifies some background details: “Davis entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos following the 2025 NFL Draft out of North Carolina Central. He appeared in each of Denver’s three preseason contests, recording two receptions for 25 yards, before he was waived by the Broncos during final roster cuts. A native of Durham, North Carolina, Davis started 30 of the 42 games he played over four seasons at North Carolina Central (2021-24), hauling in 92 receptions for 1,211 yards and 12 touchdowns.”
What’s notable about Davis’s journey to Denver is that he ended up with the Broncos for the price of just $15,000 guaranteed. The suggestion is that he didn’t garner huge interest following the 2025 NFL Draft. Or, at least, he didn’t create a feeding frenzy where teams were willing to drain the ATM to bring him aboard.
Consider the word from Lance Zierlein leading into the draft: “Height, length and speed are all check marks in Davis’ favor. His rare blend of length, elite speed and foot quickness will be enticing to a team late in the draft or as a priority free agent. He’s still very unrefined as a route-runner and needs to improve his play strength and catch consistency. While there are issues to work through, his ability to separate and stretch the field creates an intriguing ceiling.”
It’s that “intriguing ceiling” that the Vikings are chasing.
Every coach loves having a speedster along the outside; the Vikings are no different. Even better is if that speedster stands at 6’4″. In theory, Mr. Davis can burn down the sideline, forcing a corner to quickly break out of his backpedal in favor of galloping down the field in a (possibly vain) attempt to keep up.
Even better, of course, is if the safety needs to respect the deep threat. The deep defender may need to keep a roof over things lest there be a long touchdown. As a result, there’s more room elsewhere for someone like Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison to do damage.
Consider the Vikings’ top receivers alongside the listed forty times:
- WR1 Justin Jefferson — 4.43
- WR2 Jordan Addison — 4.49
- WR3 Jalen Nailor — 4.50
- WR4 Tai Felton — 4.37
- WR5 Myles Price — 4.41 (RAS)
Boasting a 4.36 forty (RAS), Joaquin Davis offered a better time than all of the team’s receivers on the 53-man roster. So, too, is he taller. These traits do not mean that he’s better or that he’s guaranteed to be a success. They do, however, offer much to build around.
Next up for the Vikings is a home game against the Commanders.
