The Guy Stolen from the Vikings by the Raiders
Dustin Baker
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The Minnesota Vikings added several undrafted free agents to the roster — in addition to 10 men drafted during the NFL Draft — last weekend. The undrafted free-agent sprint to sign players seemed to occur at breakneck speed for the Vikings.
Initially, these were the men:
- Mike Brown (S) Miami (OH)
- Thomas Hennigan (WR) App St.
- Bryant Koback (RB) Toledo
- Zach McCloud (OLB) Miami
- Josh Sokol (C) Sacred Heart
- Tyarise Stevenson (DT) Tulsa
- Tré Turner (WR) VT
- Luiji Vilain (OLB)Wake Forest
- Ryan Wright (P) Tulane
Soon after, though, one of the wide receivers from the group reversed course and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.
His name is Tre Turner.
On the UFDA list, Turner was arguably the most exciting name as the Virginia Tech alumnus had a commendable collegiate career. After the draft, he agreed to join the Vikings to presumably compete for a roster spot.
But the Raiders had other plans, putting their money where their mouth was for the Hokie pass catcher. When Turner got down to brass tacks, Las Vegas simply offered more money than Minnesota — to the tune of $37,500.
At Virginia Tech, Turner tabulated 2,292 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 43 career games. He also took snaps at running back from time to time. All told, he departed the Hokies as a Top 5 wide receiver in school history via receiving yards and receptions.
The Draft Network identified Turner as “a versatile receiver with the ability to win down the field, attack the intermediate areas of the field, and create with the ball in his hands.”
The Vikings already have 10 wide receivers under contract, from All-Pro personnel in Justin Jefferson to practice squaders like Trishton Jackson. So. it’s not like Turner was going to make or break the enterprise.
But he would’ve spiced up the UDFA haul. Hell, he even did so for about 30 minutes.
Turner will give it a whirl in Las Vegas, hoping to claw his way onto a roster led by new head coach Josh McDaniels.
At Virginia Tech, Turner was teammates with Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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