Minnesota Vikings sign 13 undrafted rookie free agents

The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms to 13 undrafted rookie free agents. Fox 9’s Hobie Artigue says one name to watch is offensive tackle Aviante Collins of TCU, a player who entered the NFL Draft as a projected 5th or 6th Round pick at a position of need for the Vikings.

Some other names that may sound familiar to Gophers fans are Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt and Nebraska running back Terrell Newby.

Undrafted free agents signed by Vikings

DE Tashawn Bower, LSU
DT Dylan Bradley, Southern Mississippi
T Aviante Collins, TCU
T Nick Fett, Iowa State
DE Caleb Kidder, Montana
QB Wes Lunt, Illinois
DE Sam McCaskill, Boise State
RB Terrell Newby, Nebraska
TE Josiah Price, Michigan State
CB Horace Richardson, SMU
WR R.J. Shelton, Michigan State
LB Shaan Washington, Texas A&M
LB Eric Wilson, Cincinnati

Vikings GM Rick Spielman on Fox 9

Minnesota Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman was busy moving pieces trying to rebuild the Vikings offense during this year’s NFL Draft. Spielman made seven trades, the most in his tenure with the Vikings, to try and secure the best talent to get the team back to the playoffs.

Spielman joined Sports Director Jim Rich on Fox 9 Sports Now and spoke of why he felt he had to make so many moves, plus why these players he drafted stood out from the rest and he gave an update on Teddy Bridgewater’s rehab. PLAY VIDEO

Vikings pick up 5th year option on Anthony Barr

The Vikings also announced the team has exercised the 5th year option on linebacker Anthony Barr, selected No. 9 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. Barr has started all 42 games in which he has appeared and helped lead the Vikings’ 3rd-ranked defense, which held opponents to 314.9 yards per game in 2016. Barr has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons and has collected 270 career tackles along with 9.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.