The Single Biggest Surprise from Vikings Roster Cuts
The UFL guy made it.
The Single Biggest Surprise from Vikings Roster Cuts
Jalen Redmond saw the green light with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, the deadline day for all the NFL’s roster trimdowns. The unsung defensive tackle, barring a post-roster-release tweak, will be a part of the 2024 regular reason roster — an upset, to be sure.
Pioneer Press’ Dane Mizutani tweeted Tuesday, “The youth movement in the trenches on the defensive side features Levi Drake Rodriguez, Taki Taimani, and Jalen Redmond. That’s a pretty fun group for the Vikings.”
Redmond was included in this defensive tackle group after the 53-man trimdown:
- Harrison Phillips
- Jerry Tillery
- Jonathan Bullard
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Jalen Redmond
- Taki Taimani
Veteran Jonah Williams was the odd man out at defensive tackle.
That DT group will take the field on Sunday, September 8th, when the Vikings travel to New Jersey for a date with the New York Giants. It’s worth noting that Minnesota probably needs an extra running back after cutting four in the last 30 hours, so keep an eye on Redmond’s long-term roster security, as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will have to cut one player to make room for the theoretical RB.
Redmond played 4 games in 2024 with the UFL’s Arlington Renegades, tabulating 4.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss and 18 total tackles. That statline was evidently enough to turn heads in the Vikings’ front office, and Redmond parlayed the trial into a roster spot.
The ex-Renegade joined the Carolina Panthers’ roster as an undrafted free agent 16 months ago — right around the time Ivan Pace Jr. signed with the Vikings — where he stayed for four months. Carolina said goodbye in August 2023, and Redmond eventually tried the UFL on for size. The experiment worked, especially with his current presence on Minnesota’s 53-man roster.
Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline scouted Redmond during the lead-up to the 2023 NFL Draft: “Athletic defensive tackle who goes very hard. Explosive, fires off the snap with a terrific first step, and possesses a closing burst of speed. Attracts a lot of attention in the middle of the line, effectively bends his knees, and works his hands throughout the action. Keeps his feet moving, holds his ground against double-team blocks, and plays through the whistle. Strong for his size.”
Weaknesses? Redmond has been hampered by injuries over the last several years and was not considered an elite pass rusher departing Oklahoma for the pros last year, though his 4.5 UFL sacks were noteworthy.
Redmond turned 25 in March and tallied 14 sacks in 36 games in college.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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