Vikings sign G/C Josh Andrews

How are we able to sign him before free agency starts? Was he not on the Eagles roster at the end of the season?

This answers my question. 

This appears to be the reason why the Vikings can sign him to a contract. Thanks to a helpful primer from our friends over at Cincy Jungle, any player that is not on a roster at the end of the 2017 season, to include practice squad players, is eligible to be signed to a futures contract by any other team.

http://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/philadelphia-eagles/53rd-man-eagles-impressed-josh-andrews-development

6-6, 315. Sounds like a bigger Nick Easton.
Andrews outplayed former third-round pick John Moffitt to earn a roster spot with the Eagles as a backup interior lineman. When camp began, Moffitt was considered by many a favorite to beat out Gardner for a starting job. By the time camp was over, Andrews beat out Moffitt for a roster spot.
“Center-guard versatility,” Chip Kelly said of Andrews. “Really explosive, big, stout player that can play multiple positions. He’s a smart guy. He really did a good job in terms of us developing him last year as a practice squad player. He has been with us going into his second year and has really come along.
“He’s got the size. Sometimes guys don’t have the size to bump out to guard, but Josh has the size to bump out to guard. We really like his athleticism and we really think he’s grown going into his second year here.”

why wasnt he on the iggles roster?   or anybody's roster?

@"JimmyinSD" said: why wasnt he on the iggles roster?   or anybody's roster?

The Eagles have a lot of talent along their interior O-line. Why wan't he on another roster? You'd need to sign him from the PS and give up an active roster spot. Plus you don't have much film on him. This really looks like a suggestion from DeFilippo since they were going to grab some line depth either way. 

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: why wasnt he on the iggles roster?   or anybody's roster?

The Eagles have a lot of talent along their interior O-line. Why wan't he on another roster? You'd need to sign him from the PS and give up an active roster spot. Plus you don't have much film on him. This really looks like a suggestion from DeFilippo since they were going to grab some line depth either way. 

Wow.  Nice.  

I really wanted to see more bacon in the middle, and not only do they get it before The Draft, but they don't have to overpay a Free Agent, or overdraft a promising prospect for the interior o-line.  
Although, I could still them taking a chance on a promising tackle, like Wynn, Miller or even Zeus Jr. (Brown) who I think may fall a bit due to his lumbering feet.  At 6'9" you are allowed to lumber a bit, even at Tackle.

This also removes a few guys like Billy Price from consideration at #30.

Seems more likely to me, however, Zimmer will get his impact defender at #30.  I'm expecting one to fall right into their laps due to teams overdrafting QBs and O-Linemen.

@"MaroonBells" said: http://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/philadelphia-eagles/53rd-man-eagles-impressed-josh-andrews-development

6-6, 315. Sounds like a bigger Nick Easton.
Andrews outplayed former third-round pick John Moffitt to earn a roster spot with the Eagles as a backup interior lineman. When camp began, Moffitt was considered by many a favorite to beat out Gardner for a starting job. By the time camp was over, Andrews beat out Moffitt for a roster spot.
“Center-guard versatility,” Chip Kelly said of Andrews. “Really explosive, big, stout player that can play multiple positions. He’s a smart guy. He really did a good job in terms of us developing him last year as a practice squad player. He has been with us going into his second year and has really come along.
“He’s got the size. Sometimes guys don’t have the size to bump out to guard, but Josh has the size to bump out to guard. We really like his athleticism and we really think he’s grown going into his second year here.”

Andrews is 6'2" and 311. But maybe he grew a few inches. 

What I like is the Vikings are bringing in a player that lifts up the quality of our depth on the offensive line.  During the course of the season and playoffs, we saw how the production of the line dropped off when the starters were out.

@"MagnusEugeneHefeweizen" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: http://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/philadelphia-eagles/53rd-man-eagles-impressed-josh-andrews-development

6-6, 315. Sounds like a bigger Nick Easton.
Andrews outplayed former third-round pick John Moffitt to earn a roster spot with the Eagles as a backup interior lineman. When camp began, Moffitt was considered by many a favorite to beat out Gardner for a starting job. By the time camp was over, Andrews beat out Moffitt for a roster spot.
“Center-guard versatility,” Chip Kelly said of Andrews. “Really explosive, big, stout player that can play multiple positions. He’s a smart guy. He really did a good job in terms of us developing him last year as a practice squad player. He has been with us going into his second year and has really come along.
“He’s got the size. Sometimes guys don’t have the size to bump out to guard, but Josh has the size to bump out to guard. We really like his athleticism and we really think he’s grown going into his second year here.”

Andrews is 6'2" and 311. But maybe he grew a few inches. 

This guy has a shot to make the 53, or he’s out of here, as his practice squad eligibility is over...

Been in the league for awhile.  Hasn't made much progress.

@"Ponifan" said: Been in the league for awhile.  Hasn't made much progress.

Yeah, but he is real hungry, looking for a big roll with the vikings, has already arrived for the doughnut club.

https://www.si.com/mmqb/2015/10/20/nfl-minnesota-vikings-donut-club

@"BigAl99" said:

@"Ponifan" said: Been in the league for awhile.  Hasn't made much progress.

Yeah, but he is real hungry, looking for a big roll with the vikings, has already arrived for the doughnut club.

https://www.si.com/mmqb/2015/10/20/nfl-minnesota-vikings-donut-club