Vikings make massive commitment to UDFA at position of need

The Minnesota Vikings addressed an area of need after the NFL Draft and signed Army’s Andre Carter II to a huge contract.

The Minnesota Vikings, after all of the hype and buzz, didn’t use a first-round draft pick on a quarterback, instead taking USC wide receiver Jordan Addison. But, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s second draft class is finalized, headlined by Addison, USC cornerback Mekhi Blackmon and LSU safety Jay Ward. But days afterward, the Vikings made a gigantic commitment to an undrafted free agent.

According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the Vikings have signed Army edge rusher Andre Carter to a contract that includes $300,000 guaranteed and a $40,000 signing bonus. As Pelissero points out, the team has a belief that Carter can make the team for the 2023 season.

Vikings sign former Army edge rusher Andre Carter to lucrative UDFA contract

Carter wasn’t expected to be available after the NFL Draft. In fact, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein projected that Carter would be taken in the fifth or sixth round. But, the Vikings were able to swoop in and sign him to a deal that would have

This past season with Army, Carter recorded 41 total tackles (23 solo, 18 assisted), 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two defended passes in 10 games. In his three years, Carter put up 96 total tackles (65 solo, 31 assisted), 25.5 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, five forced fumbles, five passes defended and two interceptions.

Carter was able to pursue his NFL journey after the passing of the Omnibus appropriations bill, which allowed him to defer required two years of active service duty until after his playing career. The bill was signed by President Joe Biden on Dec. 29, 2022.

Now, Carter will compete for a spot on the team’s 53-man roster. The Vikings believe that he can help out their pass rush, especially as the team is open to moving on from edge rusher Za’Darius Smith after the NFL Draft.