Ex-Vikings WR Continues NFL Tour

Ex-Viking Joins 4th Team in 71 Days
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Daylen Baldwin will latch on somewhere sooner or later.

Ex-Vikings WR Continues NFL Tour

Dropped by the Atlanta Falcons last month, the former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver reportedly auditioned for the Arizona Cardinals summer roster recently.

Jackson State University Daylen Baldwin (6) makes a touchdown in their game against Mississippi Valley State during their game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss., Sunday, March 14, 2021. © Eric Shelton/Clarion Ledger via Imagn Content Services, LLC.

KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted Monday, “Cardinals worked out former Browns, Falcons, Vikings wide receiver Daylen Baldwin today, per a league source.”

Arizona has several wide receivers on its roster at the moment — like all NFL teams — with roster trimdowns looming on August 27th. Baldwin will hope for the best if he parlays the workout into a contract. These are the Cardinals’ wide receivers at the moment:

  • Marvin Harrison Jr.
  • Michael Wilson
  • Greg Dortch
  • Chris Moore
  • Zach Pascal
  • Zay Jones
  • Dan Chisena
  • Tejhaun Palmer
  • Andre Baccellia
  • Jeff Smith
  • Daniel Arias
  • Xavier Weaver
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon introduced some of his staff members and fellow coaches at the Cardinals facility in Tempe on March 8, 2023. NFL Cardinals Offensive Assistant Coaches Introduction. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Atlanta signed Baldwin in May, a quiet addition before the start of June’s minicamp. He stuck around for about 10 weeks. The Vikings initially added Baldwin last November after the Cleveland Browns cut ties with the 24-year-old. He stayed for a few weeks, was cut by the Vikings in December, and rejoined on a futures contract in January. That futures agreement was brief.

Baldwin spent some time with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns in 2022 after an undrafted outcome during that year’s draft. He signed in New York in May 2022, was dropped shortly thereafter, and ventured to Cleveland’s roster in August of the same year. But Baldwin was a roster-cut candidate in 2022 and ended up on the Browns’ practice squad.

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Michigan wide receiver Daylen Baldwin (85) runs for a touchdown against Western Michigan during the second half Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. © Junfu Han via Imagn Content Services, LLC.

Then in January 2023, the 23-year-old was signed to a futures contract and stayed attached to the Browns until August 2023 before his waiver. Baldwin waited for his next chance until the Vikings’ call, which arrived in November when he initially signed in Minnesota.

In his final season at Michigan, Baldwin played in 14 games and tallied 17 receptions for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also played college ball at Morgan State (2017-2018) and Jackson State (2019-2020).

Cross One QB
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports.

Arizona also employs two former Vikings: Dan Chisena (wide receiver) and Khyiris Tonga (defensive tackle)

In June, Pro Football Focus ranked the Cardinals’ wide receivers as the 12th-worst in the sport heading into 2024.

Baldwin and Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy were teammates at Michigan in 2021.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.