Seven Gophers signed to UDFA Deals on Saturday

While only three Gophers were drafted, at least seven others will be heading to training camp

The NFL Draft came to a close on Saturday afternoon with a trio of Gophers hearing their name called. Aireontae Ersery was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round, Justin Walley was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round, and Cody Lindenberg was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the seventh round on Saturday. At least a couple other Gophers were hoping to hear their name called, but when all 257 picks were said and done for, they didn’t end up on the final list. But that doesn’t mean that the end is here for them. At least seven Gophers have signed Undrafted Free Agent Deals on Saturday evening after the draft and will be headed to training camp just like the trio of drafted players this summer.

QB Max Brosmer— Minnesota Vikings

The highlight of the UDFA class for the Gophers is quarterback Max Brosmer. We said in our preview that the Minnesota Vikings were interested in the quarterback but didn’t seem like a likely fit just because they didn’t have any late draft picks. But they definately showed interest post draft. According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Brosmer signed with the Vikings on an UDFA deal that will guarantee him $250,000.

Brosmer is in a great spot with Minnesota—a QB savant with Kevin O’Connell as head coach, a room that has one sure fire starter in JJ McCarthy and then a muddled mess of newly acquired Sam Howell, Brett Rypien, and now Brosmer. He will have every opportunity to win the #3 job in Minneapolis.

DE Jah Joyner— Las Vegas Raiders

Joyner is signing a UDFA with the Raiders according to media sources. He will join Cody Lindenberg in the black and silver. The Raiders have a stocked DL led by Maxx Crosby, but there is roster spot in the back half of the roster where Joyner could potentially earn a roster spot.

WR Daniel Jackson—Houston Texans

Jackson is headed down to Houston along with Ersery.

We all know Jackson can catch the ball better than almost anyone out there, and he will need to show off big time to earn a spot in Houston. The Texans drafted a pair of Iowa State wide outs in this year’s draft with Jaden Higgins going #34 overall and Jaylyn Noel going at #79 overall. The Texans return Nico Collins and Christian Kirk but do have uncertainty with an injured Tank Dell. Jackson will need to earn special teams reps and wow the coaches with his route running and pass catching ability to stay on.

OG Tyler Cooper—Green Bay Packers

Cooper will sign with the host of this year’s draft and head to camp on a bike in Green Bay in July. The St. Croix Falls, WI native returns to his home state and will try and earn a roster spot in a crowded group but with no real interior lineman standouts.

DE Danny Striggow—Jacksonville Jaguars

Striggow will head to training camp in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars did not add any defensive line help in this year’s draft and that leaves a definite opening for Striggow to go in and make an impact.

S Jack Henderson—Carolina Panthers

Henderson will sign with the Panthers and fits their defensive coordinator’s style completely according to Daniel House.

Henderson wowed scouts with his testing numbers at the Gopher Pro Day in march and could be a very sneaky player to earn a spot and find a good role in Carolina.

CB Ethan Robinson—Miami Dolphins

Ethan Robinson rounds out the Gophers who have officially signed UDFA deals immediately post draft as he will be headed to the Miami Dolphins.

Robinson jumped what was the second highest vertical for a defensive back in this year’s draft class when he leaped 42” at the Minnesota Pro day in March. The Dolphins have a good starting group in the secondary but there is open spots for whomever can impress the most in camp. They added one corner in the draft in Jason Marshall, Jr from Florida in the 4th round.

The Gophers have a few other players who could sign at a later date, or may find invites to rookie minicamps over the next few weeks including kicker Dragon Kesich, running back Marcus Major, tight end Nick Kallerup, OL Quinn Carroll, and wide out Elijah Spencer.