The Minnesota Vikings announced the signing of wide receiver Michael Floyd Wednesday afternoon. The 6’3″, 220 pound receiver was a first round pick in 2012 by the Arizona Cardinals. He was a solid receiver for Arizona, his best season coming in 2013 when he caught 65 passes for 1,041 yards and five touchdowns. The big-bodied receiver was known as a deep threat in Arizona, averaging 15.4 yards per reception over his career. After a DUI arrest last season, he was cut by the Cardinals . He finished the season with the New England Patriots, catching one touchdown in two regular season games. The Saint Paul native will be reunited with former Notre Dame teammates Kyle Rudolph and Harrison Smith as he tries to turn over a new leaf with his hometown team.
Michael Floyd Signs with the Minnesota Vikings: What it Means
Sudden Depth at Wide Receiver
After the losses of Cordarrelle Patterson and Charles Johnson in free agency, wide receiver became a need for Minnesota. The team drafted two late round speedsters in Rodney Adams and Stacy Coley, and with the addition of Floyd, the team has more quality players than they can hope to retain.
Only Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and Laquon Treadwell are locks to make the final 53 man roster. After that, Floyd, Adams, and Coley will be competing with the likes of Jarius Wright, Isaac Fruechte, Moritz Böhringer and Mitch Mathews for likely three roster spots and two Practice Squad positions.
Treadwell and Wright will be feeling the pressure as Floyd has the big body to play the same role as Treadwell and the speed and ability in the slot to supplant Wright.
Repeating History
After being released by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1989 for substance abuse issues, Cris Carter got a second chance from the Vikings. He went on to catch over 12,000 yards and 110 touchdowns with the Vikings. Carter was enshrined in Canton in 2013.
While expecting Floyd to be the next Cris Carter is unrealistic, Floyd comes to the Vikings with a chip on his shoulder and a strong support system that may help him revive his career. He has the physical tools, Carter himself has already praised the support he will receive from the Vikings, and playing for the team he grew up watching can only add to his motivation.
Conclusion
Nothing is guaranteed for Floyd. He will likely start the year suspended and will need to prove he deserves a spot on the roster once he is reinstated. If he can play up to his potential, the Vikings could potentially have a steal on the free agent market. Whether Floyd is able to star in Minnesota or not, this low-risk, high-reward deal is just the kind of shrewd signing that sets contenders apart from those teams that are in a constant state of rebuilding.
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