Vikings Start the Week with Yet Another WR Signing
The Minnesota Vikings have been hard at work adding more talent to their roster for the remainder of training camp.
On Sunday, the team brought in former first-round pick N’Keal Harry after stints with the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears. Then on Monday morning, the Vikings started the week by making another receiver signing. This time, they came to an agreement with WR Jacob Copeland.
The team announced the decision on their social media accounts, saying, ” The #Vikings have signed WR Jacob Copeland (@JCope1era) and waived WR Cephus Johnson III.”
Copeland, a 2023 undrafted free agent, originally signed with the Tennessee Titans following the 2023 NFL Draft. He entered the training camp period with the Titans, but he was waived by the team last week.
Prior to his NFL career, Copeland spent five seasons at the collegiate level, splitting time between the Florida Gators and Maryland Terrapins. He spent the 2018-2021 seasons at Florida before transferring to Maryland in 2022.
Over the course of 44 games in college, Copeland put together 112 receptions for 1742 yards and 11 TDs. The receiver possesses ideal size and speed for a receiver at the NFL level, standing at 6 feet tall and just a hair over 200 pounds. During the scouting combine this spring, he ran a blistering 4.42 in the 40-yard dash.
Now, Copeland enters a receiver room that also houses 12 other players:
- Justin Jefferson
- K.J. Osborn
- Jordan Addison
- Jalen Nailor
- Jalen Reagor
- Brandon Powell
- N’Keal Harry
- Blake Proehl
- Trishton Jackson
- Thayer Thomas
- Lucky Jackson
- Garett Maag
With Copeland’s addition, the Vikings also had to part ways with Cephus Johnson III. He was a very interesting UDFA signing this spring, considering he largely played quarterback during college. He had been listed at wide receiver, though, while with the Vikings.
Johnson spent his collegiate career splitting time at South Alabama and Southeastern Louisiana. After redshirting his freshman year, he appeared in eight games for South Alabama in 2018. He completed 7-of-19 passes for 120 yards and 3 TDs. Then, his sophomore year brought with it eight starts in which Johnson started eight of South Alabama’s 12 games, recording modest passing numbers of 900 yards, 5 TDs, and 7 INTs while completing 51.7% of his passes.
Johnson was clearly a very raw passer, but the arm strength was there, and his elusive athleticism made him an intriguing player. After that 2019 season, he transferred to Southeastern Louisiana where he would finish his collegiate career.
In 2020, he returned to that reserve role for SLU’s season, completing all three of his passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. He also added 30 rushing attempts for 142 yards and a touchdown along with a pair of receptions for 20 yards. This was the first year where Johnson garnered targets in the passing game rather than being the passer himself.
This continued in 2021. He attempted just 12 passes during his senior season, completing 5 of them for 149 yards and a touchdown. As a runner, he put together 30 carries for 259 yards and 4 TDs. His receiving numbers were again modest, but he caught 5 passes for 63 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Now, the QB/WR hybrid will hope his unique skillset entices another team into taking a chance on him.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.