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Vikings Signing Journeyman WR/Returner Brandon Powell to One-Year Deal

Powell is a veteran who can be used as a gadget player and return specialist.
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The Vikings are signing wide receiver Brandon Powell to a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This move reunites the former LA Ram with Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell.

Powell is a journeyman gadget player and return specialist. Undersized at 5'8", 188 pounds, he's carved out a role in the NFL due to his quickness and agility.

After a four-year career at Florida in which he had 1,452 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns, Powell went undrafted in 2018. He began his career with the Lions, catching 11 passes as a rookie. Powell spent most of his second season on the Falcons' practice squad, then earned his way onto the active roster in 2020. During that season, he caught two touchdowns and worked as both a punt and kick returner for Atlanta.

Following very brief stints with the Bills and Dolphins in 2021, Powell resurrected his career with the Rams, where O'Connell was the offensive coordinator. He returned a punt for a touchdown in a December 26 game against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium, earning NFC special teams player of the week honors.

Last season was the most productive of Powell's career. He was the Rams' full-time punt and kick returner and handled a career-high 41 touches from scrimmage, although he gained just 236 yards with no touchdowns. He appeared in all 17 games for Los Angeles.

Powell, who turns 28 in September, will look to make the Vikings' roster and earn playing time this season. His most likely path to doing so figures to be in a training camp competition against Jalen Reagor for punt return duties. For his career, Powell has averaged 9.6 yards on 49 punt returns and 21 yards on 57 kick returns. The Vikings are already set at kick returner with Kene Nwangwu, who has three touchdown returns in two seasons.

For an undersized return specialist and gadget player, Powell's speed doesn't actually jump off the page. He ran a 4.59 40 coming out of college in 2018, though his 1.6 10-yard split was decent and his agility numbers (short shuttle and three-cone) were good.

This move primarily adds some competition for the Vikings' punt return job, but if Powell does make the roster, he could be used as a gadget player the way the Rams used him last season.

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