Taylor Mays Signs with Minnesota Vikings

Physically gifted free-agent safety Taylor Mays has signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

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Mays Signs 1-Year Deal with Vikings

Tuesday, March 24

The Vikings confirmed today that Mays agreed to terms with the Vikings:

According to ESPN's Josina Anderson, Mays agreed to a one-year contract.

The 27-year-old has history with Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer. Mays played for the Cincinnati Bengals for the past four years. Three of those seasons saw Cincinnati employ Zimmer as its defensive coordinator, so the familiarity factor bolsters the chances of a reunion.

CBS Sports' Solomon Wilcots weighed in on Mays' potential fit in the Twin Cities, per the St. Paul Pioneer Press' Chris Tomasson:

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has not shied away from acquiring younger, greener players with upside. Such is evident in Spielman's draft strategy, which has included high picks like cornerback Xavier Rhodes, wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and linebacker Anthony Barr.

Although he's never held down a consistent starter's job, there is no doubting Mays has tremendous athletic ability, which he can likely better apply in Zimmer's defense than any other system.

Capable of playing either safety spot, Mays has a far better chance to fill in at strong safety because past first-round draft choice Harrison Smith is firmly entrenched atop the depth chart at free safety.

With someone like Smith playing center field, more free rein to take risks for game-changing plays would probably allow Mays to excel. The possibility of Mays in a Vikings uniform is intriguing—at least on paper.