Vikings Sign Three of Their Draft Picks

Following the 2014 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have signed three of their picks, including their quarterback selection.

Teddy Bridgewater was the second of two Vikings 1^st-round picks (#32 overall) selected in the 2014 NFL Draft. Bridgewater, a 3-year starter at Louisville, threw for 3,970 yards and 31 touchdowns during the 2013 season. His 4 interceptions in his final season were the 2^nd-fewest among Football Bowl Subdivision starting quarterbacks. As a starter, Bridgewater guided Louisville to 27 wins in 36 contests, including 12 in 2013, tied for the most in school history. With 9,817 passing yards and 72 touchdowns in his collegiate career, Bridgewater ranks 3^rd in school annals in both categories

Shamar Stephen (STEF-an) was selected by the Vikings in the 7^th round (#220 overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft.  After starting 12 games in 2013, Stephen was named team MVP and 2^nd-team All-American Athletic Conference. In addition to a team-high 10.0 TFLs, Stephen finished with 60 tackles and 3 sacks. During his 4-year playing career, Stephen started 30-of-46 games and recorded 130 tackles, 5.0 sacks and 17.0 TFLs.

Brandon Watts, a Vikings 7^th-round selection (#223 overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft, started 29-of-49 games in 4 seasons at Georgia Tech, including 12 in 2013. Watts started 12 games as a senior in 2013 and ranked 2^nd on the team with 66 tackles. As a junior, Watts finished first on the team with 2 FFs and second with 8.5 TFLs as a member of the defense that helped the program advance to the ACC Championship Game. During his collegiate career, Watts finished with 179 tackles and 16 TFLs.