Once-Promising Viking Quietly Joined Browns Roster
The road has bent at many stops for Wyatt Davis, and the next is the Cleveland Browns.
Once-Promising Viking Quietly Joined Browns Roster
The once-promising former Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman began a new chapter late last week, joining the Browns’ summer roster, where Davis will hope to earn a 53-man roster spot in September.
The Browns’ main social media account tweeted on June 7th, “We’ve signed G Wyatt Davis and waived DT Jayden Peevy.” The transaction makes five teams in four seasons for Davis, who has not caught on so far as a pro. Perhaps Cleveland will provide the special sauce.
Here’s Davis’ career resume to date:
- Minnesota Vikings (2021)
- New York Giants (2022)
- New Orleans Saints (2022)
- Arizona Cardinals (2022)
- New York Giants (2022–2023)
- Cleveland Browns (2024–present)
Exiting the 2020 season, Minnesota desperately needed to improve its right guard spot on the depth chart, and Davis was a theorized solution after the 2021 NFL Draft. But he didn’t catch on with the Mike Zimmer-led Vikings, nor did Davis stick around for too long during the switch to Kevin O’Connell’s staff.
Instead, the Vikings employ Ed Ingram, who was plucked from the 2nd Round of the 2022 NFL Draft by current general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. After Minnesota decided Ingram was the RG of the future and the Vikings signed veteran Chris Reed in free agency, Davis became expendable and didn’t make the 53-man roster In August 2022. He then began his trek to the Giants, Saints, and Cardinals. The Browns are the next stop.
In April 2021, led by Spielman at the time, Minnesota traded with the New York Jets for two extra 3rd-Rounders. The Jets used the Vikings 14th overall pick to select Alijah Vera-Tucker (OG) while Spielman drafted Christian Darrisaw (LT) with the 23rd overall pick and parlayed the 3rd-Round trade capital into Davis and Kellen Mond (QB). Folks championed the trade, but it’s now evident that landing Darrisaw was the only saving grace.
Davis and Mond were released amid Vikings roster cuts at the end of the summer in 2022, along with several other rookies from Minnesota’s 2021 draft class.
During the buildup to the 2021 NFL Draft, at least early in the cycle, some nominated Davis as a 1st-Round talent. In 2019 and 2020, Davis earned 1st-Team All-Big Ten honors and was one of the best collegiate guards in the world. That’s why Vikings enthusiasts believed an unpolished gem could be on the roster.
With the Mike Zimmer version of the Vikings, Davis was banished to the bench — along with the aforementioned Mond — and his Vikings career was brief. And for Davis, Zimmer was apparently correct as the young offensive lineman has already developed into a journeyman-type player.
Davis has logged 29 career offensive snaps during the last three seasons, appearing in nine games.
The Browns also employ former Vikings Hakeem Adeniji (OT), Jordan Hicks (LB), Za’Darius Smith (EDGE), and Dalvin Tomlinson (DT).
Davis turned 25 in February.
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.
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