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Minnesota Vikings sign 10 undrafted free agents including Wisconsin Badgers QB

By The Sports Xchange
The Minnesota Vikings and Head Coach Mike Zimmer have signed 10 undrafted rookie free agents including former Wisconsin Badgers QB Joel Stave Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
The Minnesota Vikings and Head Coach Mike Zimmer have signed 10 undrafted rookie free agents including former Wisconsin Badgers QB Joel Stave Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

Former Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave was among 10 undrafted rookie free agents signed by the Minnesota Vikings on Monday.

Stave, who was the No. 18-rated quarterback in the 2016 class by NFLDraftScout.com, will compete with second-year quarterback Taylor Heinicke for the third job behind Teddy Bridgewater and Shaun Hill.

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A former two-star recruit, Stave started six games as a freshman following the departure of Russell Wilson. He threw 22 touchdowns as a sophomore and started nine more games during rocky junior season before closing out his career by throwing for 1,350 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2015.

"Stave showed improvements as a senior following a disaster junior season," wrote NFLDraftScout.com analyst Dane Brugler. "Stave has a tall, well developed frame with a live arm to generate unforced velocity, but he doesn't follow the quarterback Hippocratic Oath with too many hasty decisions and inaccurate throws on his game tape.

"He has an uphill climb to carve out a NFL career, but with his physical traits and character, a team will give him a chance - has received draftable grades from some teams and might be a pet project for a quarterback coach."

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The Vikings also signed a pair of running backs in New Mexico's Jhurell Pressley and Maryland's Brandon Ross. Pressley was the No. 20-rated running back by NFLDraftScout.com, while Ross was No. 42.

Cornerbacks Keith Baxter (Marshall) and Eric Rawls (Kentucky State), tight end Kyle Carter (Penn State), defensive ends Theiren Cockran (Minnesota) and Denzell Perine (Florida International), linebacker Jake Ganus (Georgia) and wide receiver Marken Michel (Massachussetts) were also added to the roster.

Cockran, who was honorable mention All-Big Ten the past two years for the Gophers, was the 32nd-rated defensive end by NFLDraftScout.com.

"As a base end, Cockran will take himself out of plays at times and needs to be more reliable containing the edge," wrote Brugler, "but he shows the agility to mirror when he properly reads the backfield - camp body with potential to be more."

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