The Vikings Have Already Said Goodbye to Two of Their Newest Players
Every year, the NFL Draft weekend brings with it a massive influx of players to the NFL level.
This spring, the Vikings made 24 acquisitions during the weekend, selecting seven players in the draft as well as signing 17 undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the draft. However, they have already decided to part ways with two of these players as they’ve waived a pair of undrafted free agents in recent weeks.
The Vikings Have Parted Ways with Two UDFAs
Those two UDFAs who no longer reside with the Vikings are LB Donovan Manuel and IOL Matthew Cindric.
Manuel, a product of Florida International, played two seasons for the Golden Panthers and recorded a grand total of 218 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and six passes defended. Manuel led the entire FBS with his five forced fumbles during the 2023 season.
The young linebacker was waived to create room for tight end Robert Tonyan on Minnesota’s roster. The Vikings lost some premier talent at the linebacker spot when Jordan Hicks decided to sign with the Cleveland Browns. However, the signing of Blake Cashman gave the Vikings an immediately replacement at the position.
Meanwhile, the most recent waiving occurred this week as the Vikings decided to part ways with Matthew Cindric, who played six seasons at Wake Forest.
That decision came in the aftermath of Dalton Risner re-signing with the Vikings. After he wasn’t able to get a long-term contract this spring, the veteran guard is back in purple for the second consecutive season.
With the Vikings holding a number of veteran players on their roster, as well as sixth-round pick Walter Rouse and seventh-round pick Matthew Jurgens, it makes sense that Cindric would be the player not to stick around.
The Vikings still hold 15 of their undrafted free agents on the roster:
- LB K.J. Cloyd, Miami (FL)
- OL Jeremy Flax, Kentucky
- LB Dallas Gant, Toledo
- WR Devron Harper, Mercer
- WR Ty James, Mercer
- WR Jeshaun Jones, Maryland
- TE Trey Knox, South Carolina
- DL Tyler Manoa, Arizona
- CB Dwight McGlothern, Arkansas
- OLB Gabriel Murphy, UCLA
- OL Doug Nester, West Virginia
- OLB Owen Porter, Marshall
- OLB Bo Richter, Air Force
- OL Spencer Rolland, North Carolina
- DL Taki Taimani, Oregon
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Sports Reference CFB.
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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.