4 players the Vikings must make room for on the final 2023 roster

Player No. 4

Brandon Powell - WR

Brandon Powell was signed by the Vikings during the free agency period last March. He has a history with head coach Kevin O'Connell when they both were with the Rams. That being said, he was seen as a bubble player at best and one who definitely wasn't a lock to make the final roster.

Through a week of camp, the script seems to have flipped. Powell has been impressive in his route running, hands, and just his quick acclimation to the offense. He also has been catching everything in punt-returning drills and showing good vision and shiftiness in his returns.

Powell definitely is pushing for Jalen Reagor's job as the primary punt returner, and the Vikings need to do an honest assessment of the two and truly keep the better option. That's the hangup with Powell making the team.

Minnesota could choose to stick it out with the former first-round bust because of the draft capital they have invested in him. Reagor was disappointing last year, and while he has made a few nice plays in camp, Powell has been the better and more consistent performer.

Powell has shown so far that the Vikings need to find a spot for him on the final roster, even if that means cutting ties with their failed investment in Reagor.