Jun 2, 2022; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Bryce Perkins (16) takes the snap from Jack Snyder during organized team activities at California Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings began training camp on Sunday, with rookies reporting to the team headquarters in Eagan. Veterans report Tuesday.
And in preparation for camp, the Vikings filled three open roster spots after the club released UDFA wide receiver Malik Knowles.
The players aren’t well-known, but such is life when trying to fill out a 90-man roster.
These are the three new players listed alphabetically.
This man actually played for the Vikings last year, albeit on the practice squad. Minnesota added Evans to the extended roster when Brian O’Neill was lost for the season to an Achilles injury.
But now Evans is back, hoping to make the 53-man roster when the franchise cuts 37 players on August 29th. Evans has played 35 career games, starting 12, and won a Super Bowl with Kevin O’Connell and the Rams in 2021.
In 2022, though, he posted a dreadful 29.8 Pro Football Focus grade, which would’ve been the worst in the NFL if he qualified for PFF’s minimum snap count. But O’Connell evidently enjoys Evans’ skillset, and the 26-year-old will battle Blake Brandel, Vederian Lowe, Jacky Chen, and Sam Schlueter for a reservist OT spot after Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill.
This man was also employed by the Rams but in 2022 for a brief stint. Snyder was undrafted in the NFL and later joined the XFL draft, where he became the 1st overall offensive lineman chosen. The Houston Roughnecks made the selection, and he played for them in 2023, appearing in nine games.
Now, he’ll get a crack at the Vikings active roster.
Minnesota also employs Ezra Cleveland, Ed Ingram, Chris Reed, Oli Udoh, and Alan Ali at guard, although Reed was added to the non-football-injury list Monday.
Like Evans, Snyder should be perceived as a longshot to make the regular season roster.
A long snapper and tight end, Thompson has caught one single pass in his NFL career — a touchdown for the 2020 Carolina Panthers. He’s appeared in 26 NFL games over six seasons, seeing playing time in 2020 and 2021. He’s played 284 offensive snaps in his career, with 234 special teams snaps in the long-snapping role.
Thompson experienced most of his on-the-field action with the 2020 Panthers and tabulated a 58.7 Pro Football Focus grade.
After T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver on the depth chart, Thompson will hope to earn the TE3 job, competing with Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, and Ben Sims.
Thompson was teammates at the University of Florida with former Vikings defender Sharrif Floyd. After transferring to Temple for 2014-2016, he teamed with current NFLers Haason Reddick, Dion Dawkins, Matthew Ioannidis, and former Viking Nate Hairston.
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 Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.