With free agency winding down the Minnesota Vikings returned to the pool of available players. Yesterday, the Vikings announced they had agreed to terms with a couple former players of the Los Angeles Rams.
Troy Reeder, LB
Brandon Powell, WR
Both players were on the Rams team that won Super Bowl LVI. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, quarterbacks coach Chris O’Hara, and new assistant inside linebackers coach Thad Bogardus were coaches on that Rams team. There’s a familiarity with these new players.
Troy Reeder actually spent the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Chargers. Reeder joined the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Delaware in 2019. He totaled 230 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, five sacks, eight passes defenses, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles over the three seasons. He started 25 of 49 regular season games and five of six playoff games. He rotated in on defense and played special teams during Super Bowl LVI. Following that Super Bowl win, Reeder joined the other Los Angeles team in free agency. For the Chargers, he primarily played on special teams. As for this opportunity with the Vikings, he’ll probably compete for a starting role but projects as linebacker depth and special teams. Reeder is a friend and high school teammate of Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill.
Brandon Powell joined the Rams during the 2021 season. His biggest play was an unfortunate 61-yard punt return touchdown against the Vikings. He made a more significant contribution last season. 24 catches for 156 yards. He had 17 rushes for 80 yards. He was also the Rams primary kick and punt returner. He’s a nice gadget player and projects as such for the Vikings. He should compete with Jalen Reagor and perhaps a rookie, or two, for the punt return job.
Despite serious salary cap limitations, the Vikings have added six new players in free agency.
Josh Oliver, TE
Marcus Davenport, OLB
Byron Murphy Jr., CB
Dean Lowry, DE
Troy Reeder, LB
Brandon Powell, WR
The reshaping of the Vikings roster continues.
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