The Vikings announced they have signed Lito Sheppard after the veteran cornerback visited Winter Park today. Pro Football Talk and ESPN reported the deal is for one year and worth $2 million.

The move comes one day before the draft and means the Vikings are unlikely to take a cornerback in the opening round.

This will set off plenty of speculation that the Vikings are now going to take Florida quarterback Tim Tebow with the 30th-overall pick in the first round of Thursday's draft. While I might be wrong on this, I don't see that happening. My sense is that the Vikings would grab Florida center Maurkice Pouncey if he's available but if he's not they also could deal that pick to a team that really wants Tebow.

Sheppard, who just turned 29 this month, is coming off a down season with the New York Jets but Vikings coach Brad Childress and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier both spent time on the Eagles coaching staff when Sheppard was in Philadelphia and are familiar with him.

"Lito is a great guy who fits what we are looking for," Vikings coach Brad Childress said in a statement posted on the team's website. "He's the type of person and player we value at the cornerback position. Coach (Leslie) Frazier and I have seen him up close and personal and we know what he can bring to our team on and off the field. We look forward to him being a Viking."

Sheppard visited the Lions last week and it sounds like all he wants is the opportunity to compete for a starting job. That is likely to happen given that Cedric Griffin (knee) isn't likely to be ready to go when training camp opens and in reality could miss some time at the start of the regular season.

Sheppard was acquired by the Jets from the Eagles for a fourth-round pick in 2009, but battled injuries and was benched in New York's loss to Indianapolis in the AFC title game. He played in 11 regular-season games with the Jets and started nine, recording one interception and 31 tackles.

Sheppard was named to the Pro Bowl in 2004 and 2006 and was an All-Pro selection in 2004. Sheppard has 19 career interceptions, getting a career-high six in 2006 and five in 2004 (including two he returned for touchdowns). The Jets declined to pick up a $10 million roster bonus that Sheppard was due in March. Even if he isn't a full-time starter, Sheppard could be used in nickel situations.