The Vikings' crop of undrafted free agents will include an athletic right tackle, a former Big Ten blocking tight end and a massive defensive lineman from Montana.
TCU tackle Aviante Collins, Michigan State tight end Josiah Price and Spartans receiver R.J. Shelton, Montana defensive lineman Caleb Kidder and Cincinnati linebacker Eric Wilson signed with the Vikings after this weekend's NFL draft, their agents told the Star Tribune.
They are part of an undrafted free agent crop on which General Manager Rick Spielman has put added emphasis after only three undrafted free agents — Austin Wentworth, Anthony Harris and Taylor Heinicke — made the initial 53-man roster during the past three summers. Vikings standouts Marcus Sherels and Adam Thielen also once were undrafted additions to the team.
Spielman said he expects to finalize this year's group Monday.
"We will have a couple of spots to fill," Spielman said Saturday night. "But we were very aggressive and had a game plan of how we were going to attack this so we could get better at it."
Collins (6-4, 295 pounds) started every game at right tackle for the Horned Frogs last season. The Vikings waited until after the draft to add another tackle after selecting interior lineman Pat Elflein in the third round Friday. Collins scored top marks in the 40-yard dash (4.81 seconds) and bench press (34 reps) during the NFL combine.
Coach Mike Zimmer added another former safety to his linebacker corps in Wilson (6-2, 225 pounds), a weakside linebacker who could compete with fellow former safety Emmanuel Lamur for the role vacated by the retired Chad Greenway.
Price (6-4, 252 pounds) was primarily a blocking tight end for the Spartans. Kidder (6-5, 269 pounds) played both defensive tackle and end for the Grizzlies. Shelton (5-10, 200 pounds) was a versatile threat at Michigan State, compiling 15 touchdowns receiving and rushing.
