Zach McCloud...
The Vikings drafted just one defensive lineman — former Gophers end Esezi Otomewo in the fifth round — which preceded general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah ponying up to add another during undrafted free agency.
Former Miami Hurricanes outside linebacker Zach McCloud got $250,000 guaranteed to sign with the Vikings, according to his agent Brett Tessler, as Minnesota needed to outbid other NFL teams by making the franchise's largest known commitment to an undrafted player before he steps onto a practice field.
McCloud, 24, is on the older end of prospects after playing six seasons in Miami as both an off-ball linebacker and edge rusher. McCloud (6-foot-2, 246 pounds) transitioned to pass rusher last season and instantly made an impact with 7.5 tackles for losses, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 11 games.
He joins the Vikings' new-look edge defender group — as stand-up outside linebackers under coordinator Ed Donatell's 3-4 defensive front — also featuring Za'Darius Smith, Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum.
The Vikings are giving McCloud a $25,000 signing bonus in addition to $225,000 guaranteed in base salary.
For comparison, McCloud's guarantees resemble those given to late fifth-round picks or early sixth-round picks. Last year, the Vikings selected tight end Zach Davidson in the middle of the fifth round (168th overall) and he got about $300,000 guaranteed.
Three years ago, the Vikings guaranteed $140,000 — believed to be the most among 2019 undrafted free agents — to land former Washington quarterback Jake Browning.
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-guarantee-250000-to-land-undrafted-edge-rusher-zach-mccloud/600169605/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Source says that the #Vikings agreed to give Wake Forest LB Luiji Vilain, who will sign as an undrafted free agent, $227,000 in guaranteed money. He got a $20,000 signing bonus and had $207,000 of his rookie year salary guaranteed.
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Chris Tomasson
dang both of them......???!!!!!!
I have to say, I am a bit taken back how much resourcing is going to D this year.
Maybe I shouldn't be looking at how it performed the last couple seasons?!
@"purplefaithful" said: I have to say, I am a bit taken back how much resourcing is going to D this year.Maybe I shouldn't be looking at how it performed the last couple seasons?!
I am really curious about how Donatell develops this defense. It is going to be nice to have an actual coordinator focusing on defense as opposed to a figurehead.
@"purplefaithful" said: I have to say, I am a bit taken back how much resourcing is going to D this year.Maybe I shouldn't be looking at how it performed the last couple seasons?!
I love it. Don't get cute. Don't overthink it. Just fix the goddam defense. Don't know how good it will be but the holes are filled and there's some decent depth. We'll see what Donatell and Pettine can do with it.
@"purplefaithful" said: I have to say, I am a bit taken back how much resourcing is going to D this year.Maybe I shouldn't be looking at how it performed the last couple seasons?!
Did ya miss the last 2 seasons? :)
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