Inside The Vikings

Vikings Sign WR Jacob Copeland, Release UDFA Receiver

The Vikings will take a look at Copeland as a possible practice squad receiver.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings Sign WR Jacob Copeland, Release UDFA Receiver
Vikings Sign WR Jacob Copeland, Release UDFA Receiver

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Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have swapped out one undrafted rookie wide receiver for another. On Monday, they announced that they've signed Jacob Copeland and waived Cephus Johnson III.

Copeland spent four years at Florida before transferring to Maryland last season. He had a career receiving line of 112/1,742/11, highlighted by a 41/642/4 season at Florida in 2021. Copeland is a speedster at 5'11, 200 pounds, having run a 4.42 40 with an elite ten-yard split. He also posted great scores in the bench press and broad jump, earning an 8.19 RAS.

Copeland signed with the Titans as a UDFA this year, but was waived last week. Now he'll look to stick around with the Vikings.

He takes the roster spot of Johnson, who was an intriguing dart throw UDFA. The 6'5", 220-pound Johnson was a college quarterback at South Alabama and Southeastern Louisiana, but switched to wide receiver in the NFL. His athleticism and size made him a fascinating theoretical prospect, but his route-running in offseason practices and training camp left plenty to be desired. Perhaps it'll work out for Johnson somewhere else.

Here's the Vikings' WR depth chart, as I see it, heading into the preseason opener:

  • Justin Jefferson
  • K.J. Osborn
  • Jordan Addison
  • Jalen Nailor
  • Brandon Powell
  • Trishton Jackson
  • Jalen Reagor
  • Blake Proehl
  • Thayer Thomas
  • Lucky Jackson
  • N'Keal Harry
  • Garett Maag
  • Jacob Copeland

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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