The Minnesota Vikings 90-man roster was tweaked again over the past week. Perhaps due to hopefully minor injuries to K.J. Osborn and Ihmir Smith-Marietta, veteran receiver Albert Wilson was signed last week. He’s had a few fine moments in the league. 5’9”, quick, and speedy. He gives the Vikings a receiver that they didn’t have on the roster. He’s probably going to be in the punt return mix as well. Second-year running back A.J. Rose Jr. was waived to make room for Wilson. The Vikings also added veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard. Originally selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Bullard gives the Vikings some position versatility along the defensive line. He has experience at end and tackle. In the 3-4 version of the Vikings new defense, he can do some interior work. He can play on the edge in even fronts. To make room for Bullard, the Vikings waived defensive end Kenny Willekes. The release of Willekes is disappointing. A seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, he lost his rookie season to a preseason knee injury. He spent his second season pushing his way into the team’s defensive line rotation. By the end of last season, he may have been the Vikings most effective pass rusher. The switch to a 3-4 front probably didn’t really fit his set of skills. He isn’t quite quick enough or twitchy enough to play as an outside linebacker or big enough to play on the interior of a 3-4. I hoped that he could manage the switch but wasn’t sure if he was a fit. He was waived with an injury designation. After clearing waivers, Willekes reverted to the Vikings injured reserve. Maybe the coaches aren’t through working with him.
Minnesota Vikings Roster
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