EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — One week away from their first organized team activities of the offseason, the Minnesota Vikings are starting to get their 2012 draft picks signed.
Minnesota signed six of its 10 picks from April's draft on Tuesday, coming to terms with fourth-round receivers Jarius Wright and Greg Childs, fifth-round defensive back Robert Blanton, sixth-round kicker Blair Walsh and seventh-round defensive players, linebacker Audie Cole and defensive tackle Trevor Guyton.
Still unsigned are Matt Kalil, the left tackle from Southern California taken with the fourth-overall pick, first-round safety Harrison Smith, third-round cornerback Josh Robinson and fourth-round pick Rhett Ellison, a combination fullback/tight end.
According to the rules of the new collective bargaining agreement, players selected in rounds two through seven must sign four-year contracts. First-round picks can sign with a club-option for a fifth-year added to the deal.
Guyton was the first to announce his deal, writing on his Twitter page, "Officially a Minnesota viking on paper!" Guyton even tweeted a picture of the pen he used to sign his contract.
Blanton's agent, Jason Bernstein, tweeted the news of his signing before the Vikings officially announced all of the signings later Tuesday. The new CBA has allowed for draft picks to sign earlier than they had in the past when holdouts would sometimes last into training camp. But the new terms in the CBA helps designate the expected salary terms allowing teams and their picks to sign sooner.
The importance of the later round picks agreeing to deals quickly with the Vikings can't be understated.
Walsh is the lone kicker on the roster and will be trying to replace 15-year veteran Ryan Longwell. Blanton might have a chance to win a starting spot at safety alongside his former Notre Dame teammate Smith. Minnesota's starters Mistral Raymond and Jamarca Sanford return. However, Smith has already been penciled into one starting spot and Blanton could push for the other with a strong offseason and training camp.
Wright and Childs will have a chance to make an immediate impact on a receiving corps in desperate need of big-play ability. Wright will also have a chance to contribute as a returner, and Cole and Guyton will vie for backup spots along the defense and on special teams.
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