Vikings sign all 3 1st-round draft picks

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Eden Prairie, Minn. • The Minnesota Vikings have signed all three first-round draft picks a day before the team is scheduled to hold its first training camp practice.

The Vikings announced the signings of Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes and Tennessee receiver Cordarrelle Patterson on Thursday.

Floyd was taken 23rd, the highest drafted defensive tackle by the Vikings since Kevin Williams went ninth overall in 2003. He was an All-SEC player after posting 13 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks as a junior last season.

Rhodes was taken 25th. He intercepted three passes and was chosen first-team All-ACC.

The Vikings traded back into the first round to take Patterson at No. 29. He led the SEC in all-purpose yards per game.