Vikings to Host Speedy WR for Free Agent Visit
The Minnesota Vikings’ offseason might have a need for speed.
Vikings to Host Speedy WR for Free Agent Visit
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has notably added Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), and Isaiah Rodgers (CB) in free agency in addition to re-upping with Aaron Jones (RB), Byron Murphy Jr. (CB), Theo Jackson (S), and the treasured one, Harrison Smith (S).
And wide receiver Rondale Moore, a speed merchant, could be next.
The Vikings social media team tweeted Friday, “WR Rondale Moore has started his free agent visit with the Vikings.”
Moore didn’t play in 2024 because of a knee injury after a trade to the Atlanta Falcons. The move featured quarterback Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals, the team that drafted Moore.
The speedster is most known for his blazing 4.29 forty-yard dash during the lead-up to the 2021 NFL Draft. Arizona drafted him in Round 2 that April, the day after the Vikings chose offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw from Virginia Tech.
In three seasons, Moore has tabulated 1,201 receiving yards, with 135 catches and 4 total touchdowns. He’s also a kick and punt returner, meaning he could be on deck for “the Brandon Powell role” in 2025. Adofo-Mensah has not re-signed Powell through four days of free agency.
On the surface, because of Moore’s draft stock, speed, and semi-high-profile name recognition, some might be tempted to believe Moore would fill WR3 responsibilities with the 2025 Vikings. In reality, he’d likely slide into a WR4 role — again, like Powell in 2023 and 2024.
For now, Jalen Nailor is the team’s incumbent WR3, and he flashed at times behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison last season. The wide receiver free-agent market was quite robust this offseason, and Minnesota could still sign a player like Cooper Kupp, Amari Cooper, or Stefon Diggs for WR3, assuming it wanted to make a grand splash behind Jefferson and Addison.
Otherwise, Kevin O’Connell’s team will feature a healthy T.J. Hockenson for all of 2025, and he’s a de facto WR3 per target load.
Another perk of a would-be Moore signing? He won’t break the bank. He’s never tallied over 450 receiving yards in a single season and is coming off the major knee injury. Put plainly, he’ll be embarking on a classic “prove it” season.
Moore is only 24. He’s 5’7″ and 180 pounds — speed demon. He was a teammate at Purdue with Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher George Karlaftis.
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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