Simoni Lawrence

Vikings Sign 16 UDFAs, Cut Four Players

TUESDAY, 1:33pm: The Vikings have officially signed their UDFAs, with Missouri Western quarterback Travis Partridge joining the group to make it 16 in total.

In order to make room for the new additions, the Vikings have cut four players: Linebackers Terrell Manning and Simoni Lawrence, running back Bradley Randle, and guard Josh Samuda.

SATURDAY, 8:29pm: The Vikings have agreed to terms with 15 undrafted free agents, according to the team. Here’s the complete list of new Vikes, per a press release:

  • Conor Boffeli, G, Iowa ($4K bonus, per Ben Goessling)
  • Pierce Burton, OT, Mississippi
  • Kain Colter, WR, Northwestern ($8K bonus)
  • Rakim Cox, DE, Villanova ($3K bonus)
  • Isame Faciane, DT, Florida International
  • Donte Foster, WR, Ohio ($1K bonus)
  • Matt Hall, OT, Belhaven ($1.5K bonus)
  • Zac Kerin, C, Toledo
  • A.C. Leonard, TE, Tennessee State ($2.5K bonus)
  • Erik Lora, WR, Eastern Illinois ($1.5K bonus)
  • Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee
  • Tyler Scott, DE, Northwestern ($2.5K bonus)
  • Jake Snyder, DE, Virginia
  • Austin Wentworth, G, Fresno State ($2K bonus)
  • Dominique Williams, RB, Wagner ($1K bonus)

NFC Rumors: Raiola, Vikings, Beason, Hardy

Dominic Raiola has been the Lions‘ center since the days when they wore leather helmets, but eventually he’ll be moving on from football. He wants to play for another two seasons, but Detroit would like to start grooming someone to take over for Raiola once he retires, writes Dave Bickett of the Detroit Free Press. It’s not a top priority, but if they get a chance in the middle of the draft, don’t be surprised if you see the Lions go for a center. Here’s more out of the NFC..

  • Simoni Lawrence turned down three clubs to sign with the Vikings, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN.
  • Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (on Twitter) expects it to take a deal paying $3-4MM annually for the Giants to sign linebacker Jon Beason to a new deal.
  • The Panthers met recently with Drew Rosenhaus, defensive end Greg Hardy‘s agent, and the two sides have had ongoing negotiations, two league sources tell Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. After totaling 26 sacks over the past two seasons, Hardy is looking for a deal that will be commensurate with his performance.
  • Beyond Beason, Carolina will be looking to re-sign wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and free safety Michael Mitchell, both of whom played on one-year deals last season, Person notes. Backup quarterback Derek Anderson and No. 2 tight end Ben Hartsock are viewed as priorities as well, but will likely have to take one-year contracts. The Panthers are expected to let free agent receiver Brandon LaFell and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn test the market, but could ultimately re-sign them to shorter, team-friendly deals.

Vikings Sign Simoni Lawrence

WEDNESDAY, 4:09pm: Lawrence’s deal with the Vikings includes a $10K signing bonus and is for three years, tweets Brian McIntyre.

TUESDAY, 2:25pm: The Vikings have signed linebacker Simoni Lawrence to a contract, the team announced today (Twitter link). TSN.ca’s Matthew Scianitti had reported yesterday (via Twitter) that the CFLer would ink a deal with Minnesota.

Lawrence, who played his college ball at Minnesota, went undrafted in 2010. While he has signed with several NFL teams since then, including the Rams, Bears, and Buccaneers, he has yet to appear in an NFL game. Most recently, the 25-year-old linebacker played for the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats, recording 52 tackles, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles during the 2013 season.

Terms of Lawrence’s deal weren’t disclosed, but it figures to be a reserve/futures contract, a type of deal that we explained in greater detail yesterday.