Vikings' sneaky offensive weapon may prove crucial coming off injury

Billy Heyen

Vikings' sneaky offensive weapon may prove crucial coming off injury image

It was one of those offseason signings that flies well under the radar.

But in the end, it could prove to have been a crucial one for the Minnesota Vikings.

They signed talented wide receiver Rondale Moore, who didn't play in 2024 due to injury.

The Vikings' top-two WR spots are set with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. But Moore could probably contend with Jalen Nailor for WR3 duties.

"A 2021 second-round pick, Moore never put up more than 435 receiving yards in a season during three seasons with the Cardinals," ESPN's Aaron Schatz wrote on Monday. "He was traded to Atlanta last season, but he missed the entire year with a knee injury. Now, on an one-year, prove-it deal with the Vikings, Moore can compete with Jalen Nailor for snaps to WR3. Can Moore finally really produce as a receiver? And will O'Connell also use Moore's rushing skills? He had 28 carries for 178 yards and a touchdown in 2023."

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Moore is the type of explosive, sometimes-gadget player who can help a young quarterback like J.J. McCarthy. Getting the ball into his hands on simple plays can still sometimes turn into big chunks.

The Vikings will need him healthy, of course, but once he's up to speed, he should be pretty fresh after a year away.

Moore could matter in Minnesota, that's for sure.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle