Throughout the summer in OTAs and training camp, the 90 Vikings compete for 53 coveted roster spots and another 16 on the practice squad. Last week, the franchise ended the roster spot chase of a sophomore receiver, who, on paper, looks like an absolute stud.

In his first move with the team, new GM Nolan Teasley adjusted the depth of the receiver position. He signed Michael Briscoe and Trayvon Rudolph. To make room for them, Teasley waived Joaquin Davis, an undrafted rookie from 2025.

Davis initially joined the Vikings in December and the practice-squad player signed a futures contract after the season. After a few practice sessions this summer, the decision-makers have seen enough and showed him the door, despite his prototypical athletic profile.

Davis signed with the Broncos after going unclaimed in the 2025 draft and turned heads throughout the offseason and in training camp. It helps to possess a Randy Moss-like body at 6’4″ and 195 lbs with 4.3 speed. Unfortunately, that doesn’t guarantee anything in the big leagues, as there’s more to playing wideout than size and speed.

The technical aspects seemingly remain a work in progress.

NFL draft scout Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft profile, “Height, length and speed are all check marks in Davis’ favor. His rare blend of length, elite speed and foot quickness will be enticing to a team late in the draft or as a priority free agent. He’s still very unrefined as a route-runner and needs to improve his play strength and catch consistency. While there are issues to work through, his ability to separate and stretch the field creates an intriguing ceiling.”

Now that he’s off the team, the Vikings will continue to evaluate their depth receivers to form the best group behind the elite trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. That group might be the best in the business and unites Jefferson’s technique, Addison’s playmaking ability, and Jennings’ size.

Behind them, the club employs sophomores Tai Felton and Myles Price, who have starred on special teams but barely contributed on offense. Undrafted rookie Dillon Bell has turned some heads in OTAs and could be a player to watch.

Davis was that guy for the Broncos last year, but it hasn’t translated so far.

Broncos reporter Andrew Mason posted on social media last July, “Joaquin Davis, if the Broncos can give him time, could really be something special. The ball just sticks in his hands. Like Velcro when it hits. His wingspan, his stride, his vertical, his speed … man, this dude has some tools. The NCCU product has got serious potential.”

Further competing for roster spots are undrafted rookies Luke Wysong, Marcus Sanders Jr., and Terrill Davis, as well as 2025 practice-squad receiver Dontae Fleming. We’ll get to see more from them in training camp and the preseason.

Davis won’t be the last athletic marvel to discover that the NFL is about more than size and speed. The tools that once made him an intriguing prospect are still there, but they weren’t enough to convince the Vikings to keep him around.

As training camp approaches, Minnesota’s receiver competition rolls on without him, and another player will get the opportunity Davis couldn’t turn into a roster spot.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.