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Minnesota Vikings Showing Interest in Speedy Baylor Wide Receiver
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- Minnesota Vikings Showing Interest in Speedy Baylor Wide Receiver
Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
The 2025 NFL Draft is just over one month away. While the Minnesota Vikings do not have a lot of picks to work with this year, we can never rule out a few draft weekend fireworks from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
There are some target positions that are absolutely in play for the Vikings next month, specifically on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines. Last week, the Star Tribune's Ben Goessling even suggested that the Vikings have made Oregon DT, Derrick Harmon a priority draft target.
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Minnesota Vikings interested in Baylor WR, Monaray Baldwin
The MN Vikings also have needs in the secondary and at wide receiver, where they'll look to the draft for help in those areas. And Goessling took to Twitter on Sunday to report on another draft target that fans should keep an eye out for — Baylor Bears wide receiver Monaray Baldwin.
The #Vikings met with Baylor WR Monaray Baldwin at the Big 12 Pro Day, source said. Baldwin ran a 4.32 40 and averaged 17 yard per reception over the past three years. Could be worth keeping in mind as a late-round deep threat.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) March 23, 2025
Monaray Baldwin spent four seasons at Baylor, where he totalled 99 receptions for 1,673 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also rushed (or took passes behind the line of scrimmage) 19 times for another 178 yards and 2 touchdowns. Baldwin's best season came in 2023, as a junior, when he caught 38 passes for 623 yards and 4 TDs.
Watching some of his highlight clips as a Baylor Bear, you can see that the Minnesota Vikings seem to have a specific type of WR they are looking to add to Kevin O'Connell's offense. Much like the most recent free agent signed at the position earlier this week, Rondale Moore , Baldwin is a height challenged speedster who's generously listed as 5'9″ and ran a 4.32 40 at the Big 12 Pro Day.
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Related: Minnesota Vikings Priority Draft Target Revealed
Following his impressive performance, the Killeen, TX native met with the Vikings representatives on site at Big 12 Pro Day. Monaray Baldwin would offer Kevin O'Connell's offense a type of shiftiness and elusiveness that they have not had on roster since this regime took over.
Mr. Monaray Baldwin 😵😲😮
The Dart. The Diving Catch. 🎯 @BUFootball 🤝 @Monaray2x #Big12FB | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/FgrZnuT6tZ— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 22, 2024
#Baylor 's back in it!
-screen to Monaray Baldwin picks up 46 yards
-next play, Ashtyn Hawkins gets in for the 4 yard TD! #TexasBowl pic.twitter.com/dQE8bZQdQ3— 🏆🥇 (@fsh733) December 31, 2024
Vikings have immediate and future need at wide receiver
Jordan Addison , who just turned 23 years old last month and is entering his third season as a pro, has proven very much worthy of the first round pick Minnesota spent on him in 2022. Unfortunately, he's likely to miss three games this season, due to a suspension that is expected, following his DUI arrest last offseason.
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Looking into the future, there's almost no future where the MN Vikings try to extend Jordan Addison, once his rookie contract comes due in the next few years. Not when they're paying Justin Jefferson $35 million per season . Thus, while WR may not seem like a top priority on the surface, it's become clear that is a priority position this offseason.
Related: Coveted Free Agent Spurns Bears, Signs with MN Vikings
They addressed the immediate 2025 WR3 conundrum earlier this week, when they signed speedy, height-challenged free agent wide receiver Rondale Moore. The 24-year-old former 2nd round pick out of Purdue is looking to get his healthy and football career back on track after missing all of 2024 with an injury.
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