The UFAs

Back in late April, much fuss was made about draftees like Percy Harvin and Phil Loadholt. But after the NFL's seven-round college meat market was over, the Vikings work on acquiring new talent wasn't. Instead management went about signing many undrafted college free agents.

Most of these players won't make the team, but some will. Some might even become starters or Pro Bowlers. Former Vikings (and Pro Bowlers) Robert Griffith and John Randle were UFAs. And the players on the current Vikings roster who were UFAs and have played a significant role with the team of late include starting guard Anthony Herrera, nickleback Charles Gordon and special teams star and backup linebacker Heath Farwell.

Here is a list of the undrafted rookie free agents the Vikes signed (Note: it doesn't include center Juan Garcia or wide receiver Vinnie Perretta and the team recently released Bobby Lepori, Nick Walker and Sean Glennon).

In order to see if there might be any future Griffith's or Randle's in the bunch, I recently asked the National Football Post's director of college scouting Wes Bunting for his assessment on the Vikings UFAs. Most Viking fans are familiar with at least one of the signees – running back Ian Johnson of Boise State-over-Oklahoma fame. But the UFA Bunting seems the highest on is little-known N.C. State defensive tackle Antoine Holmes, who sounds a bit like a Spencer Johnson clone.

Here are Bunting's comments on the UFAs he thinks have the best chance of sticking with the team.

Ian Johnson:
Particulars: Boise State; 6'0; 196; running back

Bunting's take:
"Is a natural runner and catches the ball well. He’s fourth on the depth chart right now behind Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor and Albert Young. I think he could beat out Young. The big question – is he going to help you out on special teams? He has to find a niche. But I certainly think he could be that number three guy if the Vikings keep three running backs.

His strengths are running the ball and his vision between the tackles. At the NFL combine he ran a 4.38. But when you watch him on tape he doesn’t show that kind of burst. He’s a real patient runner, sets up his blocks well, has great vision and lateral ability and footwork. Once he hits that hole he goes from nothing to top speed in two steps. However, once he hits that full speed and the second level he’s not going to run away from anyone. He does catch the ball well out of the backfield.

Why he lost carries at Boise State [in his last two seasons] is with all the success Boise State had, they were able to bring in better athletes through recruiting. So the back-up running backs were better athletes than Johnson. But at the same time he was a more instinctive, more gifted runner. They were trying to get their athletes in space, get Johnson off the field and do a little lightning and thunder action with Johnson being the more physical back. But as a pure runner, he was one of the top guys in the entire draft, if you just look at his instincts, his cut-back ability and his vision. He’s a real talented guy.

He’s not real fast. He’s not going to run away from people. But in that short area, that’s what makes him so intriguing. The NFL is played inside a box. So if he can grind out those four or five-yard carries, I think he’s going to do well for them."

Antoine Holmes:
Particulars: N.C. State; 6"2; 290; defensive tackle

Bunting's take:
"One guy I was really intrigued by was Holmes. In my notes when I did an N.C. State game, the game I saw him play, I gave him a second/third round grade – a guy who could develop for one or two years and possibly start down the line.

I look at the depth you guys have behind Pat Williams and Kevin Williams. It’s Fred Evans, Letroy Guion, Jimmy Kennedy and Tremaine Johnson. I think Holmes is just as talented as Guion. But they have him listed as a nose tackle right now. I think he’s more of an under tackle, where he can shoot gaps inside and penetrate and do things like that. But I think he’s a guy who could definitely spell Kevin Williams at times. And I think he’s the best prospect of any of these guys on the board. Worst-case scenario, he definitely makes the practice squad. But I could see him beating out Guion and Johnson in time.

As I said, I only saw N.C. State once and I got him against Florida State, which had a young, inexperienced line. He’s an undersized, three technique guy. Maybe he just had a good game on my day, but I gave him the same grade as a guy named Willie Young – who plays defensive end and is projected to be a first or second round pick next year. I was impressed. I had him underlined four different times for four different things I saw. He must have had one heck of a game if I gave him that kind of love."

Colt Anderson:
Particulars: Montana; 5'10, 195; safety

Bunting's take:
"When I looked over the roster, Madieu Williams is the starter, then behind him is Eric Frampton and DeVon Hall. He could beat both of those guys out. But he’s got to start off as a gunner on special teams. Who I’d compare him to is Jim Leonhard – from the Baltimore Ravens and now with the New York Jets. I think he runs 4.5, so he runs decently. But he’s got great instincts. He’s been real productive and takes great angles and he's smart in the secondary. I think he was a three-time all-conference guy. And he’ll play special teams for you. He’ll work hard and be a gunner, there are no character concerns with him.

And with the guys you have – Frampton and Hall – that’s not much competition behind Williams. I think Anderson has a chance, especially if he takes to the playbook quickly. That will be key for him, as well as making that transition from a place like Montana all the way up to the NFL. That’s a tough transition for these guys to make, to go from their conference, where they consistently make plays and then when they get to the NFL they realize everyone is just as talented – if not more talented – than they are. If he can handle that, I think he has a chance because there’s not much competition. To be honest, I think Anderson has just as good or even a better chance of making it than [Vikings seventh round pick and safety] Jamarcus Sanford."

Jon Cooper:
Particulars: Oklahoma; 6"3; 290; centre

Bunting's take:
"He’s actually number two on the depth chart behind John Sullivan. Juan Garcia is third. Unless they have something in the works, where they are going to kick a guard back up, Cooper has a good chance to make it. However, I don’t think he’s a good fit for that offence. The Vikings like big guys who can move people off the ball. Cooper is more a guy who traps and gets out to the second level. He’s more of a zone blocking scheme kind of guy. Maybe they’ll ask him to put on some weight. But because of the depth chart and what you have right now, he has a chance. I just don’t think he’s a great fit for the scheme."

Andy Kemp:
Particulars: Wisconsin; 6"5; 320; offensive guard

Bunting's take:
"This is a big, physical, Big 10 guy. He plays well in a phone booth, where he can get his hands on you and drive. But he’s not real comfortable in space. However, he’s exactly what the Vikings want to do – drive people off the ball. I think he’s an offensive lineman that fits what they want to do. He has a chance."

And there you have it – five guys to keep an eye on during preseason after all the starters are gone midway through the second quarter.