Taylor Mays to Vikings: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

The Minnesota Vikings have reached a contract agreement with free-agent safety Taylor Mays.

The Vikings confirmed the news on Tuesday: 

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

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

The San Francisco 49ers drafted Mays in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. He only spent one season with the organization, however, before being dealt to the Bengals. He's played the past four seasons in Cincinnati.

The 27-year-old USC product has played a very limited role throughout his career. He's registered just 84 career tackles to go along with no interceptions. He's made an impact on special teams but hasn't developed into the type of contributor teams expect from a second-round investment.

That said, he still possesses some value as a reserve safety while also handling special teams duties—the latter being an unsung but important aspect of every team.

Perhaps the new surroundings will lead to a resurgence from Mays. His lack of playmaking ability has prevented him from taking on a bigger role in the past, but there's always hope a new coaching staff can finally get everything to click.

If that doesn't happen, he should continue to make his presence felt on special teams. As mentioned, while it's not always a glamorous job, it's important nevertheless. Tackling has always been one of the more reliable aspects of his game.

Free agency presented him with a chance at a fresh start. Now he must take advantage of it.