The Viking Age
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Minnesota Vikings 2016 undrafted free agent signings

By Adam Carlson

Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams (12) carries the ball during the second half in the ACC football championship game against the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams (12) carries the ball during the second half in the ACC football championship game against the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 2016 NFL Draft in the books, it’s time to look at the undrafted free agents who joined the Minnesota Vikings and will compete in training camp.

One of the most exciting parts of the offseason comes when the NFL Draft is over and the players who weren’t selected become free agents. Teams scramble to grab some of these potentially breakout players and add them to their training camp and preseason rosters.

The odds of making an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent is rough, but it does happen. Stories like those of current Minnesota Vikings wide receiver and special teams star Adam Thielen are fantastic tales of an underdog finding his niche. But who could be this year’s player who comes out of nowhere to have a big role?

Here are the undrafted free agents the Minnesota Vikings have come to terms with according to NFL.com:

Sep 26, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Kyle Carter (87) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated San Diego State 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Sep 26, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Kyle Carter (87) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated San Diego State 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /

DB Keith Baxter, Marshall

  • TE Kyle Carter, Penn State
  • DL Theiren Cockran, Minnesota
  • S Qujuan Floyd, Iowa State
  • LB Jake Ganus, Georgia
  • WR Marken Michel, Massachusetts
  • DE Denzell Perine, Florida International
  • RB Jhurrell Pressley, New Mexico
  • DB Eric Rawls, Kentucky State
  • RB Brandon Ross, Maryland
  • QB Joel Stave, Wisconsin
  • QB Marquise Williams, North Carolina

    • Of that list, the most notable name is running back Jhurrell Pressley, who was predicted by NFL.com to be a fifth to sixth round drat pick and compares him to Seattle Seahawks backup Christine Michael.

    The Minnesota Vikings also brought in two quarterbacks to help out in training camp and preseason, but the odds of them unseating either Shaun Hill or Tyler Heinicke for one of the team’s backup jobs is unlikely. Still, this is a great opportunity for these young passers to put their skills on display and hope they can find a gig.

    Next: The Minnesota Vikings 2016 NFL Draft class

    Of course, this list may not be complete, as more signings will likely be happening all the time. However, this is a great start for training camp and should help push everyone even harder to help make the Minnesota Vikings as good as possible for the 2016 NFL season.

    **Updated 5/2/16 for an error on Perine’s college.

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