The Minnesota Vikings have addressed most of their roster needs in free agency. While no team has ever had too many receivers, running backs, or linemen on either side of the ball, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can enter the draft with the popular best-player-available approach.
Vikings Blitz Into Talks with Highspeed WR
He has four picks at his disposal. With the first and third-rounders, he might find some immediate help; for the two fifth-rounders, finding depth players with the potential to become more than that should be on his wishlist.
One of the latter could be Baylor receiver Monaray Baldwin. The Vikings reportedly met with him at his Pro Day.
The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling wrote on social media, “The Vikings met with Baylor WR Monaray Baldwin at the Big 12 Pro Day, source said. Baldwin ran a 4.32 40 and averaged 17 yards per reception over the past three years. Could be worth keeping in mind as a late-round deep threat.”
A wide receiver isn’t the top need, but a late-round flier wouldn’t be the worst idea.
At this point, the Vikings employ eight receivers.
- Justin Jefferson
- Jordan Addison
- Jalen Nailor
- Rondale Moore
- Tim Jones
- Lucky Jackson
- Jeshaun Jones
- Thayer Thomas
Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison form, without any doubt, the starting duo. Jalen Nailor and Rondale Moore could compete for the WR3 role. Tim Jones is primarily a special teamer, and the other three guys were on the practice squad last season and hope to make the cut this time.
Baldwin spent four seasons at Baylor. In the last three seasons, he tabulated 98 catches for 1,666 yards and 13 touchdowns, with an average of 17 yards per catch. He added another 178 yards and two touchdowns rushing.
In 2021 and 2022, Baldwin returned a total of 11 kicks; he could compete for that role, too.
Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, annually assembles a list of the top 100 physical freaks in college football, and Baldwin ranked 41st last year.
“He’s up to 168 pounds from 164 on his 5-9 frame. Baldwin, No. 42 on last year’s Freaks List, didn’t bench 400 pounds like he did in 2023, but 365 is still more than double his body weight. His GPS speed is up to 23.16 mph. In 2023, Baldwin had four touchdowns and led the Bears in receptions (38) and receiving yards (623).“
He ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. A player with that kind of speed could be a sweet deep threat for the Vikings in Kevin O’Connell’s vertical passing attack, in addition to having some potential on special teams.
He ranks 328th on the consensus board and should be available for the Vikings on day three, potentially even as an undrafted rookie.
Adofo-Mensah will presumably make his first pick on April 24th unless he trades out of the first round. Baldwin, meanwhile, will likely get his draft day call on April 26th.
