Three More Signed

The Minnesota Vikings were slow to start signing their 2017 draft picks. That likely had more to do with the NFL Players Association having some issues with the contacts that the Vikings were offering than general team laziness. The Vikings wanted their rookies signed much earlier. They wanted them signed before the rookie mini camp. That was three weeks ago. The Vikings started signing their rookies on Thursday. It hasn't been reported as to whether the NFLPA's issues have been resolved or the rookies are just signing the contracts anyway. Fifth-round receiver Rodney Adams was the first to sign when he agreed to his rookie deal on Thursday. Seventh-round defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo signed later that day. Three more signed yesterday.

Jaleel Johnson, fourth round (109 overall), DT, Iowa
Ben Gedeon, fourth round (120), LB, Michigan
Danny Isidora, fifth round (180), G, Miami

All three play positions that will be of great interest through workouts and training camp.

The 3-technique defensive tackle position is critical in the Vikings defense. It's also something of an uncertainty right now. Sharrif Floyd would be considered the starter if not for a mishap during "routine" surgery on his knee last fall. A nerve was nicked and it has yet to respond at the level required in an NFL game. Or practice. Jaleel Johnson has the talent and an opportunity to play right away. He'll compete with Tom Johnson, and free agent additions Datone Jones and Will Sutton. No matter how the depth shakes out this summer Johnson should play a significant role in the defensive line rotation. That may include giving nose tackle Linval Joseph a breather on occasion.

The weak-side linebacker spot in the Vikings' base defense opened when long-starter Chad Greenway retired this offseason. How they intend to fill the spot is a mystery. It very much is "how" rather than "who." With the pass happy nature of today's NFL the Vikings, and most defenses, are in their nickel far more often than their base defense. It may be more accurate to consider their nickel defense their base defense. With Greenway on to more charitable pursuits the Vikings linebackers, and their defense, are at a crossroads. Do they stick with their traditional three linebackers on first and possibly second down? Do they use the big-safety type linebacker that's become a minor rage in the league, a linebacker with the cover skills that allows him to stay on the field in passing situations? Do they move current middle linebacker Eric Kendricks to weak-side linebacker on early downs and plug a run-stuffer in the middle? Filling the open linebacker spot is very much about "how" the Vikings proceed as much as it is "who." All of that brings us to the Vikings signing of fourth round rookie Ben Gedeon. He'll be part of those linebacker plans. He was more of a run-stuffing middle linebacker at Michigan. His modest forty time got him labeled as limited in coverage. His excellent performance in the agility drills at the combine might contradict that label a bit. It's a good bet that he'll fall behind a receiver on a "go" route but if he's ever doing that someone else missed an assignment. Many draft analysts pegged Gedeon as a special teams player and backup linebacker. A fourth round pick is a high price to pay for a player with that sort of future. I think that the Vikings see more in him and a role for him.

The Vikings offensive line was a mess last season. Priority #1 (maybe Priority #'s 2 and 3, as well) this offseason was to fix it. They added tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers in free agency. They added two interior linemen in the draft. Fifth-round guard Danny Isidora was one of those linemen. The Vikings starting offensive line isn't set yet but it'd probably be wise to get it set soon. The five players on the line have to know each other, be comfortable with each, and work as one. The sooner they start working toward that the better. If the last mini camp is an indication of anything it's that right guard might be the least settled of the five line positions. Isidora is in that competition. If he doesn't win the job he'll provide nice depth at both guard positions.

The Vikings have signed five of their 11 draft picks. It's a late start but it's a start. It's still better than the pre-CBA annual negotiation nightmares. Six unsigned Vikings rookies remain.

Dalvin Cook, second round (41), RB, Florida State
Pat Elflein, third round (70), C, Ohio State
Bucky Hodges, sixth round (201), TE, Virginia Tech
Stacy Coley, seventh round (219), WR, Miami
Elijah Lee, seventh round (232), LB, Kansas State
Jack Tocho, seventh round (245), S, North Carolina State