Vikings UDFA Profile: Kansas State WR Malik Knowles

Knowles is a playmaker who offers value as a dynamic option at kick returner.

Over the next couple weeks, Inside the Vikings will be taking a look at all 15 members of Minnesota's 2023 undrafted free agent class.

Vikings UDFA profile: Kansas State WR Malik Knowles

• Size: 6'2", 196
• RAS: N/A
• 2022 stats: 48 catches, 725 rec yards, 164 rush yards, 5 total TD

Malik Knowles is an intriguing wide receiver prospect with a chance to stick around in Minnesota because of his playmaking ability and kick returning experience. He spent five seasons at Kansas State, gradually improving until he broke out last year with nearly 900 yards from scrimmage. He returned 61 kicks in his college career, averaging a robust 27.7 yards per return with three touchdowns.

Knowles is a big, versatile receiver with good hands. His receiving production was unremarkable until his fifth year, but he caught at least two touchdown passes in all five of his college seasons and averaged nearly 15 yards per catch for his career. Interestingly, Knowles was also used often as a runner, with a career rushing line of 36 carries, 440 yards, and four touchdowns. Two of those rushing touchdowns came from exactly 75 yards out. His 21 touchdowns at Kansas State came in three different ways — 14 receiving, four rushing, and three on kick returns.

Although his production was inconsistent, Knowles had one multi-touchdown game in each of the last four seasons. In 2022, he had three 100-yard receiving games in Big 12 play. Knowles doesn't have available athletic testing numbers because he was recovering from an injury this offseason, but his speed and ability to make defenders miss in space shows up in his highlights.

Malik Knowles. 100 yards to the CRIB ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/HPh6VojhEx

— ESPN (@espn) September 14, 2019

Knowles isn't a super twitchy athlete or a refined route-runner, but he's dynamic in the open field with the ball in his hands. That could be enough for him to at least earn a spot on the Vikings' practice squad, where he could provide receiver depth and a backup to Kene Nwangwu at kick returner.

Scouting report from NFL.com's Lance Zierlein:

Perimeter receiver with adequate measurables and above-average value as a kick returner. Knowles is an angular route runner who is much more effective on longer-developing routes that allow him to win with tempo through turns. Lacking suddenness, he will struggle beating press and uncovering underneath. He requires a runway to find his speed on run-after-catch throws. Knowles is athletic and smooth as a pass-catcher but might be limited to a role as a potential WR5/6 with kick return value.

Vikings' offseason wide receiver depth chart:

• Justin Jefferson
• Jordan Addison (rookie)
• K.J. Osborn
• Jalen Nailor
• Brandon Powell
• Jalen Reagor
• Trishton Jackson
• Blake Proehl
• Malik Knowles (rookie)
• Thayer Thomas (rookie)
• Cephus Johnson III (rookie)

Other Vikings UDFA profiles

Baylor TE Ben Sims

Indiana CB Jaylin Williams

Oklahoma CB C.J. Coldon

Georgia Southern CB NaJee Thompson

North Carolina State WR Thayer Thomas

Southeastern Louisiana WR/QB Cephus Johnson III

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