Which Minnesota Vikings' Free Agents Will Make the Team?

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

After an encouraging 2009 draft, the Vikings have turned their focus to signing free agents. At first glance one may think it’s just another process to fill the field with practice players.

However, several of the 14 players recently signed by the Vikings have a great chance of being on the roster come September. Below are eight players that I believe has a good chance of making the roster as the Vikings are quietly building a super bowl contender.

Ian Johnson RB, Boise State, 5’11 212

Clocked 4.46 at the combine: His 4,183 yards and 58 career touchdowns equals one word – productive. Johnson is a shifty runner with good speed, hands and vision. He can also contribute as a kick returner.

Scouting reports credit a lackluster 2008 season as the main reason he went undrafted. He has all the physical skills to be the Vikings third running back. He only has to beat out former Iowa running back Albert Young.

Johnson is most famous for scoring the two-point conversion that upset heavy favorite Oklahoma in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl. He has had some injuries, but barring anything major, I think he’s the blue collar guy that Brad Childress covets.  

He’ll be a great safety valve in case Chester Taylor gets tired of playing second fiddle to the great Adrian Peterson and wants out.

Safeties Colt Anderson (5’9 195) of Montana and Utah State’s Devon Hall (6’2 212) are interesting prospects.

Safety Devon Hall is 6’2, 212, runs a 4.45 forty and has a 39 inch vertical. Oh, My! A two-year starter in the Utah State secondary, the only knock in the scouting report is that he has a tendency to bite on pass fakes.

Ok, I admit we’ll have to fix that; but with 4.4 speed, he can probably recover pretty well.  Bottom line—he is a hard-hitting sure tackler that plays well in the box. I like Hall’s chances to make this roster at safety behind projected starters Madieu Williams and Tyrell Johnson.  Other safeties include Eric Frampton, Husain Abdullah and seventh round draft pick Jamarca Sanford

After watching safety Colt Anderson on YouTube, I came away with one conclusion—this guy can flat out play. He run a 4.54 in the 40 and makes up for his lack of height by utilizing great ball awareness and an ability to lay the wood on receivers coming across the middle.

The Vikings can use an intimidating force in the secondary or another torpedo to break up wedges on kickoffs. Anderson wraps up in space and shoots the gaps to make plays. I love his intensity.

As for his chances of sticking, the competition in the secondary will be intense. Although his height will hurt him, he has some value as a strong safety and special team’s player. He’s a long shot, but nevertheless deserves a good look.

Several other signees that pique my interest include wide receiver Nick Moore, linebacker Robert Francois, guard Andy Kemp and center

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