Recently Released Vikings Receiver Hired By Falcons
OTAs have started for the Minnesota Vikings, and the organization’s new additions are on the field together for the first time. J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, the two first-round selections, are certainly the main attractions at TCO Performance Center. How quickly they can acclimate to the playbook and NFL drills will determine how early in the season they will see the field.
Recently Released Vikings Receiver Hired By Falcons
Two wide receivers were missing for vastly different reasons. Justin Jefferson, the team’s superstar, has not been present. Organized team activities are voluntary, and until he signs his massive contract extension, there is no incentive to step foot into the practice facility.
Also missing was Daylen Baldwin, who was released by the Vikings two weeks ago. It didn’t take him long to find a new home. Aaron Wilson was the first to report on his new gig with the Atlanta Falcons.
The Vikings added him to their roster for three weeks in November last year when multiple receivers were hurt. He was released in December and re-signed in January.
Baldwin went undrafted in the NFL draft in 2022, but Cleveland signed the UDFA. He spent his entire rookie campaign on the Browns’ practice squad but was released before his sophomore season started.
Baldwin was quite the journeyman in college, playing for Morgan State, Jackson State, and Michigan, where he transferred as a grad transfer. He caught some passes from Vikings quarterback McCarthy, including his first collegiate touchdown, a 69-yarder in 2021. The Vikings ended the dream of a sweet reunion when they parted ways with the wideout.
In Atlanta, however, Baldwin is teaming up with Kirk Cousins, Minnesota’s departed signal-caller. The Falcons have an intriguing wideout group and have added more talent to their explosive trio of Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and Drake London.
Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore are established pass-catchers, and the backups include returner Ray-Ray McCloud, sixth-rounder Casey Washington, and 200-yard receiver from the previous season, Khadarel Hodge. It will be tough for Baldwin to make the team, but the 24-year-old might find a way to be nominated to the practice squad.
The Vikings have not signed another wide receiver after parting ways with Baldwin, but they still employ 12 WRs. Behind Jefferson and Jordan Addison, there will be a competition for the WR3 job between various candidates. Most notable are last year’s emerging weapon and punt returner, Brandon Powell, injury-plagued 2022 draft pick Jalen Nailor, and free agency signing Trent Sherfield.
Undrafted rookies Ty James, Devron Harper, and Jeshaun Jones, as well as Trishton Jackson, N’Keal Harry, Malik Knowles, and Thayer Thomas, are also in the mix. The addition of another receiver can’t be ruled out.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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