The Minnesota Vikings began signing undrafted free agents shortly after the conclusion of the draft on Saturday evening, and they announced their class on Monday. Here is a look at the Vikings' UDFAs:
Tashawn Bower, DE, LSU: The Vikings gave the LSU defensive end a $15,000 signing bonus, and guaranteed $30,000 of his base salary for 2017. General manager Rick Spielman talked about making a stronger commitment to undrafted free agents, and Bower caught the Vikings' eye as a pass-rusher they could mold. He needs to use his hands more effectively, but defensive line coach Andre Patterson has coaxed quick progress out of young linemen like Bower in the past.
Dylan Bradley, DE, Southern Mississippi: The 6-foot-1 defensive end had 8 1/2 sacks last season, including 1 1/2 in the New Orleans Bowl. His uncle is former Cowboys and Redskins defensive end Jason Hatcher, who was drafted by the Cowboys in 2006, when Mike Zimmer was the defensive coordinator in Dallas. The Vikings gave Bradley a $15,000 signing bonus and a $25,000 base salary guarantee for 2017.
Aviante Collins, T, TCU: Collins stood out with eye-popping workout numbers at the combine, and he comes from rich athletic stock; his father, Bill, was a legendary sprinter at TCU who later became a mentor for James Cooper, Adrian Peterson's trainer. The younger Collins ran a 4.81-second 40-yard dash at the combine, and put up 34 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press. He'll get a chance to make the roster after the Vikings decided not to draft a tackle.
Nick Fett, T, Iowa State: The Vikings will take a look at the 6-foot-7 Fett, who became a starter for the first time in 2016 and helped the Cyclones average 421.6 offensive yards per game, which was the fifth-highest total in school history. The former walk-on was a second-team all-conference pick by Big 12 coaches.
Caleb Kidder, DE, Montana: The 6-foot-5 Kidder figures to work as a defensive end who can move inside in passing situations; he told The Missoulian that he'd connected with Patterson, who played at Montana in the 1980s, and picked the Vikings over the Ravens, Bears and Buccaneers. "It just felt right, kind of felt like home to call myself a Viking," he told the paper.
Wes Lunt, QB, Illinois: The former Illini quarterback sustained a fractured fibula in 2014, and missed four games because of injury last season. He completed only 56 percent of his passes his last two years at Illinois. He'll get a look as a developmental quarterback, fighting for snaps behind Sam Bradford, Case Keenum and Taylor Heinicke.
Sam McCaskill, DE, Boise State: McCaskill posted 6 1/2 sacks for the Broncos last season, earning All-Mountain West honors last season as he posted 50 tackles, including 14 for loss. He finished his career at Boise State with 10 1/2 sacks and 20 1/2 tackles for loss.
Terrell Newby, RB, Nebraska: The 5-foot-10 running back posted 879 yards on 190 carries last season, scoring seven rushing touchdowns in his best season for the Cornhuskers.
Josiah Price, TE, Michigan State: Price -- who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 248 pounds -- caught 38 passes for 387 yards last season, though he figures to fit more as a blocking tight end than as a receiving option. The Vikings gave the Greentown, Indiana, native a $5,000 signing bonus.
Horace Richardson, DB, SMU: The Vikings gave Richardson a $5,000 signing bonus and a $15,000 base salary guarantee as they signed the defensive back who returned from two ACL injuries to post an impressive senior year. Richardson intercepted six passes for the Mustangs, breaking up another 14 while recording 32 tackles.
R.J. Shelton, WR, Michigan State: The 5-foot-11 wide receiver played running back as well, and was a dynamic kick returner who finished second in Spartans history with 1,855 return yards. He posted more than 1,000 all-purpose yards three times in his career, rushing for a career-high 549 yards in 2016.
Shaan Washington, LB, Texas A&M: Washington posted 104 combined tackles as a senior, forcing two fumbles and registering 2 1/2 sacks. The 6-foot-3 linebacker had 20 career tackles for loss with the Aggies.
Eric Wilson, LB, Cincinnati: After transferring from Northwestern, Wilson fashioned an impressive career for the Bearcats, making 129 tackles and posting three sacks as a senior. He's 6 foot 2 and is a converted safety, but Mike Zimmer has shown an interest in safety/linebacker hybrid types, and it's possible the Vikings will look at Wilson in that capacity.
