The Vikings Have New Speed Demons
The Minnesota Vikings have not hesitated to add speed this offseason, prioritizing the trait at two positions.
The Vikings Have New Speed Demons
The club has added about 35 new players between free agency and the draft in the last seven weeks, leaning heavily into playmaker speed throughout.
So, to prepare you for Vikings’ spring and summer activities, these are the new notable speed demons, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = fastest new player).
4. Silas Bolden (WR)
40 Time: 4.38
After the draft on Saturday evening, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah embarked on one of his favorite pastimes: signing undrafted free agents.
The young executive added 19 new players from the UDFA wire, and Bolden, a wide receiver from Texas, entered the chat. He’s known for speed, and some Vikings fans have already decided that Bolden will hold down returning responsibilities this autumn, a sweet prediction because it’s a bit of a longshot for Bolden to make the 53-man roster.
Teams didn’t draft Bolden because of his size — he’s 5’8″ and 160 pounds. He returned punts for the Longhorns last year.
BurntOrangeNation.com‘s Jacob Neidig on Bolden: “A lack of fear and trust in his home-run speed allowed Bolden to make courageous catches all over the gridiron. As a receiver, Bolden was predominantly used outside and provided tackle-breaking ability, forcing seven missed tackles on 23 receptions. No play better personifies the effort and heart of Silas Bolden than his lone rushing touchdown as a Longhorn. After making a block near the line of scrimmage, Bolden sprinted 30 yards down field to recover a fumble in the end zone against Oklahoma and ensure the score and momentum stayed in Texas’ favor.”
“With his college career ending, Bolden has turned his sights to the NFL. His quickness, versatility, and toughness are all traits that NFL coaches look for. He boasts superb skills in the return game and electric speed.”
Bolden could end up stealing a WR6 spot on the Vikings’ 2025 roster if he plays his cards right.
Neidig added, “Bolden also has impressive ball skills for an undersized receiver. The most viable path for Bolden is to carve out a niche as a dangerous returner than can be inserted on offense for situational usage. At 5’8, 170 pounds, Bolden unfortunately has his work cut out to once again prove that he can compete at the next level, but his contact courage is an undeniable trait.”
3. Tai Felton (WR)
40 Time: 4.37
Minnesota had just four picks entering the draft last week, and when the franchise stepped up to the podium in Round 3 for its second selection, few believed wide receiver would be on the docket.
But Adofo-Mensah drafted Felton of Maryland, a mid-round discovery, to compete for a WR3 or WR4 job this season and beyond. He’s heavier than Bolden by about 25 pounds and logged 96 receptions for 1,124 yards and 9 touchdowns last season at Maryland.
Bleacher Report‘s Dame Parson on Felton: “Felton’s coverage recognition is a strong part of his process. He has good zone recognition and can work inside the soft spots of the coverage. On the outside, he is effective on slants, daggers, quick hitches, and comeback routes. With the ball, Felton has a good motor to take on contact and fight for extra yards — doesn’t go down without a fight.”
“Tai Felton projects as a slot/movement Z receiver with quick route runner and separation abilities. If paired with a true number-one receiver, he can find success on the lesser defenders on the opposing defense. He is an adequate NFL wide receiver with a solid ceiling to buy into.”
2. Rondale Moore (WR)
40 Time: 4.29
Before Bolden and Felton, Rondale Moore represented the Vikings’ main speed addition at wide receiver this offseason.
The Arizona Cardinals welcomed Moore to the NFL four years ago with a 2nd-Round pick, and many pegged him for lofty production with Kyler Murray flinging him the ball on Sundays. The fantasy football community, especially, daydreamed about Moore’s upside.
Yet, Moore has not achieved his once lofty draft stock, and in fact, missed the entire 2024 campaign with a knee injury after joining the Atlanta Falcons’ roster last year.
For now, he projects as Minnesota’s WR4 in 2025, but with Felton and Bolden in the mix, he might be looking over his shoulder.
No matter what, though, Moore is fast as hell.
1. Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
40 Time: 4.28
While speed is a vital aspect of Rodgers’ toolkit, the Vikings need him to perform as a startable coverage cornerback. He wasn’t necessarily welcomed to the 2025 depth chart to outrun people — that’s what Bolden, Felton, and Moore are for in 2025.
Still, Rodgers is on deck to fill a CB2 job this season, next to cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. at the top of the ticket, and fans will likely witness his intense speed before it’s all said and done.
Winning a Super Bowl 2.5 months ago with the Philadelphia Eagles, Rodgers featured an 82.1 passer-rating-against in 2024. He also has a history of kick returning, a spot in Minnesota where he might flaunt some of that 4.28 speed.
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