5 forgotten former members of the Vikings – Part 3
By Nik Edlund
Corey Wootton – DE
Corey Wootton was once a highly touted draft prospect back in 2010. There was talk he could sneak into the late first round but was more likely a second-round choice. He actually fell to the fourth round, where the Chicago Bears snapped him up.
Wootton had a slow start to his career, mustering just one sack in his first two seasons. Things got much better for him in year three as he broke out with seven sacks and 27 tackles. The following season the Bears moved him inside to defensive tackle, where he also was productive with three sacks and 34 total tackles.
The Bears opted not to bring Wootton back after his rookie deal expired and the Vikings snapped up the massive defender for new head coach Mike Zimmer’s defense. The 6-foot-6, 271-pound Wootton was seen as a guy who could be a versatile piece along the line, providing depth at tackle and end.
He appeared in just 15 games and never started a single one. Wootton mustered just one sack and 16 tackles with the team, and his career was over after his one brief and mostly forgotten year in Minnesota.