Vikings forgo Patterson's team option, add Gopher free agent

The Vikings just completed this year's draft, but general manager Rick Spielman had to make some big decisions on players he drafted three years ago.

The Vikings had three first round selections and Monday had to decide whether they would pick up team option on Sharrif Floyd, Xavier Rhodes or Cordarrelle Patterson.

The Vikings will keep cornerback Rhodes and defensive tackle Floyd for their fifth years, but didn’t for wide out/kick returner Patterson, who will more than likely be a free agent at the end of the season. If they decided to keep him, it would have cost the team almost $8 million. Floyd's and Rhodes' contracts are worth $6.757 million and $8.026 million, respectively.

Gopher among Vikings 10 rookie free agents

Also on Monday, the Vikings announced they agreed to terms with 10 rookie free agents, including a former Golden Gopher defensive end Theiren Cockran. The Florida native put together a great senior season finishing with three sacks ad was named the team's top defensive lineman.

PLAYER                      POS.                        COLLEGE
Keith Baxter.................... CB........................... Marshall
Kyle Carter...................... TE....................... Penn State
Theiren Cockran............. DE........................ Minnesota
Jake Ganus..................... LB............................ Georgia
Marken Michel............... WR.............................. UMass
Denzell Perine................. DE......... Florida International
Jhurell Pressley............... RB..................... New Mexico
Eric Rawls....................... CB................ Kentucky State
Brandon Ross................. RB.......................... Maryland
Joel Stave....................... QB......................... Wisconsin