In training camp, the Vikings sign a former Cowboys fourth-round draft pick.
Prior to and at the start of training camp, the Minnesota Vikings have lost a number of cornerbacks.
They signed Jacobi Francis in free agency and re-signed Duke Shelley as a way to rectify that. Still, they weren’t finished. Along with a number of other roster changes, the Vikings also announced the signing of linebacker Jabril Cox.
Cox, 26, was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 115th overall choice in the 2021 draft.
He played for the Cowboys for his first two seasons before being dismissed in August 2023, ending his knee injury-plagued tenure. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo at the time, Dallas “discussed” putting Cox back on their practice squad, but he ultimately joined the Washington Commanders.
In his ten games with the Commanders in 2023, Cox made two tackles and spent the majority of his time on special teams.
According to Pro Football Reference, he played 203 special teams snaps and one defensive snap.
In his three seasons, Cox has played 46 defensive snaps overall, compared to 503 special teams snaps. In 2022, he played a career-high 36 defensive plays (185 on special teams) for the Cowboys. Cox totaled six tackles by the end of the season.
Despite his limited playing experience because to injury, Cox remains a relatively unknown prospect.
“He has demonstrated playmaking abilities and credentials, and he moves quite quickly. Before the 2021 draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlien wrote about Cox, stating that “his cover talent could help him quickly get on the field.” His handsight and diagnosis skills are below average, which occasionally puts him in recovery mode. But in the first few seasons, his skills and qualities ought to be sufficient to get past those problems and enable him establish himself as a reliable three-down starter.
Over Cox’s first three seasons, the evaluation’s skill set section held true.
“Cox must regularly enter the field. That objective should be greatly attained with a totally healthy offseason, and there are still many things to enjoy. Read Cox’s April 2023 progress update from DallasCowboys.com.
In 2024, Cox’s signing might improve the Vikings’ special teams and defense. Additionally, it might indicate that Brian Asamoah, the No. 66 overall third-round pick in 2022, needs to be extremely cautious throughout training camp and the preseason.
As with Cox, Asamoah’s defense debut has mostly failed. Throughout his first two NFL seasons, he has played primarily on special teams.
He was expected to start at linebacker in 2023, but Ivan Pace Jr. swiftly passed him.
Even with Jordan Hicks’ injury during 2023’s first game, the Vikings switched to a more hybrid strategy. Instead of using Asamoah as a lone linebacker, Pace was the only player on the field.
Asamoah’s four-year, $5.5 million rookie contract is currently in its third year. If the Vikings cut him this offseason, they will save over $900,00. If they do that in the upcoming offseason, they can save $1.4 million.