4 NFL Free Agents Wiggle into The Vikings’ Orbit with a Workout for the Team
Recently, the Vikings had to respond to the various injuries that have popped up, leading to the additions of tight end Nick Vannett and receiver Tim Jones to the 53-man roster. So, too, has the practice squad landed some help with the additions of linebacker Sione Takitaki alongside corner Tyrek Funderburk.
Hiding behind all of these firm decisions has been some workouts for four NFL free agents. Ben Goessling of The Star Tribune offered up the precise details: “In addition to Tyrek Funderburk and Sione Takitaki, who they’ve signed to the practice squad, the #Vikings worked out two other LBs (Jamin Davis and Ty Summers) and two DBs (Brandon Crossley and Shemar Bartholomew) this week.”
4 NFL Free Agents Land a Workout w/ MIN
A single name jumps out from the list: linebacker Jamin Davis.
Previously, the defender has put in work with the Vikings. He has even done so for Brian Flores, getting a bit of game action. Across four games in 2024, Davis put up 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, and 1 tackle for loss for the Vikings. Davis did so within 21 snaps on defense alongside 38 snaps on specials.
A lot of the intrigue with Jamin Davis rests in his history.
Drafted at No. 19 in the 2021 NFL Draft, Davis offered some upside. Not too often do off-ball linebackers get scooped up so high. He offers good height at 6’4″ and ran a 4.47 forty, a tremendous time for the position. Clearly, Washington felt like they were picking up a weapon with the pick but the 26-year-old hasn’t been able to fully establish himself in the pros.
Ty Summers, 29, was picked in the 7th of the 2019 NFL Draft. In fact, his career began in Wisconsin, putting in work with the Packers for a trio of seasons before earning contracts with several other squads. His career snaps involve 1,588 on special teams alongside 317 on defense.
Brandon Crossley, a corner, is unproven. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent during the current offseason, landing just $1,000 guaranteed from the Patriots. New England has connections aplenty to Minnesota. One notable detail rests in the reality of the pair of teams doing joint practices at TCO in August. Did Crossley catch a coach’s eye?
Finally, consider Shemar Bartholomew, a 25-year-old corner who has put in some work for the Panthers. He picked up 3 tackles across five games in 2024.
Just based on the names, Jamin Davis would appear to be the most likely to land a deal. He previously created enough optimism to find employment from the Vikings, making one wonder if another deal could arrive at some point. His athletic abilities are promising and so is his age. A worthwhile add, if only on the practice squad?
The final detail to note is that these potential roster additions appear to mostly be about special teams.
After all, the team has primarily seen defenders succumb to injury — except for running back Ty Chandler, who helps as a kickoff returner — and yet the move has been to sigh a depth tight end alongside a depth receiver to the active roster.
There has then been an effort to beef up the practice squad with defenders. The suggestion is that specials are the priority while nevertheless making an effort to explore available options among NFL free agents about shoring up the defense. Calling up someone like Takitaki — who has quite a bit of experience — makes some sense.
Next up for the Vikings is a Sunday Night Football battle against the Falcons. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. CT.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
