A Specific Free Agent WR Just Makes Too Much Sense
It has been an eventful summer for the Vikings’ receiver position. The franchise has lost Rondale Moore for the entire season. He was planned to be the punt returner and a yards-after-catch threat over the middle of the field.
A Specific Free Agent WR Just Makes Too Much Sense
In addition to Moore’s heartbreaking knee injury in the first preseason game, Jalen Nailor jammed his hand in last week’s joint practices, and his return is a mystery at this point. Justin Jefferson has finally returned to practice, at least. His wingman, Jordan Addison, has drawn a suspension for the first three games.
Suddenly, head coach Kevin O’Connell has to rely on some guys who have never caught a pass in the league, like Lucky Jackson, Jeshaun Jones, and rookie Tai Felton. If Nailor can’t go in less than three weeks when the operation hopes to defeat the Chicago Bears, one of those guys would even be in the starting lineup and work as the WR2 next to Jefferson.
Because that doesn’t sound like a smart idea whatsoever, Skol Nation has requested some reinforcements via free agency or trade. A popular name is Amari Cooper, a veteran whose last explosive season came in 2023. Another idea features Adam Thielen.
While a bigger name like that is certainly an option, the Vikings should first look at another old friend, who has yet to find a new team to calm the situation.
That man is Brandon Powell, who was a hero with Joshua Dobbs throwing him the ball in 2023, but also returned punts in the last couple of seasons. Powell is unlikely to be a massive game-changer for the purple squad, but he was reliable in 2023 and 2024 when asked to make plays.
Powell, who will turn 30 between the first two Vikings games of the season, played in all 34 games of the last two seasons and caught 36 passes for 395 yards and a touchdown. He returned 60 punts for 463 yards.
His punting action wasn’t too exciting, which is likely why he isn’t around anymore, but at least he was dependable at catching them. If the Vikings have any doubts about Myles Price, Tai Felton, or Silas Bolden catching punts safely, Powell could step in. Furthermore, he has shown the capability to be a depth receiver.
In the famous Dobbs game versus the Falcons, Powell caught the game-winning touchdown. He also had 64 yards a couple of weeks prior in the win over the 49ers, and he logged 35, 32, and 45 yards in other games with Dobbs under center.
He quickly earned the trust of the Passtronaut within days (or within minutes), and with the season set to begin in 20 days, the newcomer wouldn’t have much time to form a connection with J.J. McCarthy. Powell also has knowledge of Kevin O’Connell’s offense. He would just have to learn the updated playbook.
The best part of all of that is that Powell is still available on the free-agent market. Minnesota’s ex-wideout was even in the stadium for the second preseason game.
Handing Powell a low-risk veteran minimum contract to be insurance at punt return and receiver is the logical move after all the injuries and preseason struggles of the depth receivers. None of them has separated himself, especially since Lucky Jackson dropped a couple of passes.
It’s time to give the veteran a call and figure out whether a big-time move is necessary later.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.