Vikings Successfully Boxed Out 3 Teams for New Speed Demon
The Minnesota Vikings signed Rondale Moore last week, a speedy wideout who will audition for a WR3 or WR4 role this summer at training camp and in the preseason.
Vikings Successfully Boxed Out 3 Teams for New Speedster
Onlookers will hope that Minnesota can unlock Moore’s speed inside the 2025 offseason, the group that will feature 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy at quarterback.
And landing Moore evidently wasn’t easy — the Vikings had to box out a few franchises.
The Box Out
NFL Network‘s Mike Garafolo tweeted last week, “WR Rondale Moore is visiting the Titans today, source says. Former second-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals is in the midst of a tour of teams, having met with the Bears, Jets and Vikings as he resets after a knee injury in camp ended his 2024 season with the Falcons.”
Moore met with Minnesota first, embarked on the free-agent expedition with other teams, and ultimately chose the Vikings.
PurplePTSD‘s Kyle Joudry noted on the box-out, “In his career, Rondale Moore has made close to $7 million. Presumably, the team that gives him a chance to make good money in 2025 while also committing to featuring him prominently — so that he can command more money on a future deal — is going to win the sweepstakes.”
“For whatever it’s worth, the Vikings received top-notch marks yet again from the NFLPA report card. Maybe that helps to move Moore in Minnesota’s direction.”
Rondale Moore’s History
Moore is 5’7″ + 180 pounds and will compete for meaningful offensive snaps this summer, conceivably filling the role previously owned by Brandon Powell. He also provides special teams skills, and sans Powell, who remains unsigned, Moore could return kicks or punts next season.
The Cardinals grabbed Moore from Round 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft, the same day the Vikings drafted Kellen Mond, Patrick Jones II, and Wyatt Davis, among others. At the time, Cardinals faithful considered him the next big thing, though his career has not taken off to date.
He ran a 4.28 forty-yard dash before the draft four years ago.
Moore has totaled 135 receptions and 1,201 receiving yards in 39 career games, along with 4 total touchdowns. He didn’t play at all last season due to a season-ending knee injury at Cardinals training camp. It’s been a theme this offseason for Adofo-Mensah, finding value via previously injured players with juicy upside.
Vikings.com‘s Lindsey Young noted Moore’s athleticism last week: “Moore also was a ‘dominant’ middle school wrestler and was dunking basketballs in high school.”
“Moore grew up down the street from former NBA shooting guard Romeo Langford, and the two played basketball together through their freshman year of high school at New Albany (Indiana). Moore then transferred to Trinity High School in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was a four-star football recruit.”
Moore’s Fit in Kevin O’Connell’s Offense
Heading into the 2025 offseason, most believed Minnesota’s WR room didn’t need much rehabilitation, equipped with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on the billboard.
The Moore addition, however, is quite meaningful, especially if he claws his way up the depth chart to WR3.
This is Minnesota’s WR unit, with Moore and Jones as the newcomers in bold:
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Jalen Nailor
WR4: Rondale Moore
WR4: Tim Jones
WR5: Jeshaun Jones
WR6: Thayer Thomas
WR7: Lucky Jackson
This section of the depth chart generally expands to 10 or 11 players by the summer, so more pass-catchers will be on the way, likely from undrafted free agency.
Free Agency So Far
Before Moore, the Vikings notably signed Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), Jordan Mason (RB, trade), Isaiah Rodgers (CB), and Jeff Okudah (CB), along with extensions for Aaron Jones (RB), Byron Murphy Jr. (CB), Theo Jackson (S), and Harrison Smith (S).
It’s impressive free-agent activity as Adofo-Mensah constructs a roster worthy of Super Bowl contention, especially if one assumes that signal-caller J.J. McCarthy has the juice to develop into a Top 12 quarterback.
Other free-agent newcomers include Tavierre Thomas (CB), Bubba Bolden (S), Justin Skule (OT), and Eric Wilson (LB).
A Bow on the WR Room?
Still equipped with $31 million in cap space, Minnesota could, in theory, spring for another high-profile wide receiver, though the Moore signing might be it until the draft.
These are the other alternatives in free agency’s second wave:
- Nelson Agholor
- D.J. Chark
- Amari Cooper
- Stefon Diggs
- Diontae Johnson
- Tyler Lockett
- Robert Woods
Interestingly, the Vikings live in an advantageous spot with the 24th pick in the draft to entertain the selection of a pass-catcher like Matthew Golden (Texas), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State), or Luther Burden III (Missouri). Choosing a wide receiver, on the whole, is unlikely because of Jefferson and Addison’s presence on the depth chart, but with Minnesota addressing all roster needs before the draft, the franchise can truly pick the best player available on April 24th. Golden, Egbuka, or Burden III could fit the benchmark.
Maybe Minnesota can box out WR-needy teams in the draft, too, if it prefers an abundance of riches on offense.
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 MIN 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.
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