Vikings Cut WR

Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE.

Minnesota Vikings mandatory minicamp is four weeks away, and on Tuesday, the club became a bit leaner.

Vikings Cut WR

According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, Minnesota parted ways with wide receiver Daylen Baldwin, possibly paving the way for a subsequent but unknown roster addition.

vikings
Jackson State wide receiver Daylen Baldwin (6) is out of bounds near the end zone on the final play of the half as Alabama State defensive back Irshaad Davis (6) defends in first half action at Hornet Stadium on the ASU campus in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday March 20, 2021. © Mickey Welsh / Advertiser via Imagn Content Services, LLC.

Wilson tweeted, “Vikings cut wide receiver Daylen Baldwin per a league source.”

Minnesota initially added Baldwin last November after the Cleveland Browns cut ties with the 24-year-old. He stuck around for a few weeks, was cut by the Vikings in December, and rejoined on a futures contract in January. At least for now, that futures agreement didn’t last long.

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.

Baldwin spent 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 latched onto Cleveland’s roster in August of the same year. But Baldwin was a roster-trimdown candidate in 2022 and ended up on the Browns’ practice squad.

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 opportunity until the Vikings’ call, which arrived in November when he initially signed in Minnesota.

Offseason Is Different
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah at the 2023 NFL Combine the Week of February 27th. The Vikings have the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

On3‘s Anthony Broome scouted Baldwin leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft, “While not a burner, he does move well down the field, as evidenced by a pair of long touchdowns he scored off the arm of J.J. McCarthy in 2021. Baldwin has a long, wide catch radius given his frame and has the ability to play receiver like a basketball player, snatching balls out of the air.”

During 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).

Broome added in the Baldwin scouting report, “He is a high-character prospect and his Michigan teammates enjoyed playing alongside him. His work ethic every stop of the way was a standout trait to the coaching staffs he played for. Baldwin was a well-rounded, nice depth piece at Michigan and was coveted by other teams in the Big Ten.”

Drop Newcomer
John Jones-USA TODAY Sports.

Without Baldwin, these are the Vikings’ current wide receivers:

WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Brandon Powell
WR4: Trent Sherfield
WR5: Jalen Nailor
WR6: Lucky Jackson
WR7: Malik Knowles
WR8: Thayer Thomas
WR9: Trishton Jackson
WR10: N’Keal Harry
WR11: Ty James
WR12: Jeshaun Jones
WR13: Devron Harper

Baldwin’s exit could be an indicator that another move is upcoming, possibly the addition of a different wide receiver, a defensive tackle, or an offensive guard.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

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