6 biggest battles heading into Vikings 2023 training camp
By Adam Carlson
Vikings training camp battle No. 5
Staring punt returner: Jalen Reagor vs. Brandon Powell vs. Thayer Thomas
It's going to sound weird but this competition might be less about which player offers the best option to return punts for the Minnesota Vikings this season but more about which player can make the roster as a receiver and be a safe option to make fair catches.
Last year, Jalen Reagor struggled at times to haul in punts and only averaged 6.4 yards per return. His eight catches for 104 yards and a touchdown likely isn't enough to carry him onto the 53-man roster, meaning he is far from guaranteed to have the job again.
Minnesota signed Brandon Powell this offseason. He returned 24 punts for the Rams last season,. gaining 177 yards while also returning 30 kickoffs for 605 yards. As a receiver, Powell had 24 catches for 156 yards. He would fit in on all three depth charts.
Things have been pretty quiet about Thayer Thomas, but the undrafted free agent our of NC State was a solid punter returner for five years at the college level. He returned 70 punts for 681 yards and a touchdown in college and added 215 total catches for 2,484 yards and 24 touchdowns.