A day before rookies take the field in Eagan for the start of a three-day rookie minicamp, the Vikings front office began signing its 12-man draft class.
Tight end Irv Smith Jr., the 50th-overall pick last weekend out of Alabama, was the first pick to sign his four-year rookie contract, according to his agency SportsTrust Advisors. All NFL rookie contracts pay based on draft slot, so Smith Jr.’s deal will be worth about $5.5 million through the 2022 season. He’s expected to count just over $1 million against this year’s salary cap.
Rookies without the protection of a signed contract typically sign an injury waiver before participating in this weekend’s three-day minicamp.