Old Friend Could Fix Vikings Roster Need
Suddenly, the Minnesota Vikings could be in the market for an extra wide receiver.
The Vikings could turn to a familiar face to help address a current roster problem. Here’s why this reunion might be the right move after Preseason Game No. 1.
Saturday’s preseason game — a win over the Houston Texans — highlighted the emerging roster need, and the purple team has less than one month to prepare for the regular season.
The simplest solution might be an old friend: Brandon Powell.
The Vikings Could Rather Easily Sign Brandon Powell
Powell remains a free agent after five months on the open market.
Brandon Powell Still Available in Free Agency
No team has signed Powell this offseason, a bit of an odd development because of his experience, affordability, and special teams acumen.
Powell, 29, worked out for the New York Giants two weeks ago, though no contract materialized. He’s still waiting for a call from his next employer, and some purple fans have wondered, “Why not the Vikings?”
The former Viking and Los Angeles Ram would almost certainly jump at the opportunity to play for Kevin O’Connell again, and Powell already knows the offense and special teams. In some ways, the possible signing feels like a total no-brainer.
Rondale Moore Probably Out for the Year
Why Powell? The answer is crystal-clear. Minnesota signed 25-year-old speedster Rondale Moore in March, on tap to replace Powell as a younger and faster alternative at the punt returning spot.
The plan seemed well on the way to fruition this month, until Moore injured his knee in Saturday’s preseason game. The play? His very first since tearing his ACL with the Atlanta Falcons last summer. Moore’s career hangs in the balance, as O’Connell called the injury “significant” on Saturday evening.
Sans Moore, presumably for all of 2025, Minnesota may need a Moore-lite substitute, and Powell is that.
Powell’s Dependability
Powell has never set the world on fire as a wide receiver — although he’s a decent pass-catcher — but his dependability is paramount. The veteran rarely fumbles punts and can be trusted with WR4 responsibilities in an offense.
Don’t look now, but that’s just what the doctor ordered for Minnesota following Moore’s sad injury.
Affordability, Too
Powell played for the Vikings last year on a price tag of one year and two million bucks — the same deal Moore signed in March.
At this juncture in free agency, almost all players are cheap. Powell is not an exception. Minnesota has about $25 million in cap space, meaning it can afford Powell and several others if it’s in the mood.
Money is not an issue regarding a Powell acquisition, and at this point, adding him to the roster just makes too much sense. Consider it an insurance policy. If a player like Silas Bolden were to surpass him on the depth chart, well, nobody would really care.
In short, Powell is safe.
Ted Schwerzler on Powell
Our own Ted Schwerzler wrote about Powell last weekend, “If Adam Thielen is ‘one of us,’ then Brandon Powell previously has been one of us as well. The Minnesota Vikings brought Powell over after two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Kevin O’Connell’s familiarity with the secondary wideout translated into a niche role, and he continued to show purpose each of the past two seasons.”
“While he operated in the return game, Powell also hauled in 36-of-54 passes thrown his way. He’d be a less-than-exciting option, but could help to supplement Nailor’s role as a secondary wideout. Powell has more experience, and could potentially be pushed with a bit more opportunity.”
Schwerzler also hinted at an Adam Thielen trade: “Minnesota would likely need to overpay in terms of draft capital in order to bring back their former hometown hero. A sixth or seventh round pick probably doesn’t get it done if the Vikings are the team on the phone.”
“Still, Carolina is not really in a position to compete and stockpiling future assets may be intriguing. Thielen played 10 games last year and scored five touchdowns with 615 receiving yards. His possession and route-running prowess would be a significant addition regardless of the way the rest of the depth chart shakes out.”
The Vikings’ first regular season game is four weeks away on the nose.
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