Vikings Sign $4 Million Former 3rd-Round Pick in Free Agency
The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for the postseason, with just seeding and the NFC North championship remaining in the regular season. They have added former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ambry Thomas to the roster to strengthen their group.
Thomas joined the Vikings on December 24, his third team after being dismissed by the 49ers on December 17.
The Indianapolis Colts first claimed him, but he was dismissed after a failed physical.
“Ambry Thomas hasn’t played at all this year due to injury, but he was pretty decent in 2023 as a 2nd year corner,” wrote The Blue Stable’s Landon Oliver on X on December 18. In 2023, he was PFF’s 33rd overall graded CB, ranking higher than L’Jarius Sneed, Jaire Alexander, and Denzel Ward. Injuries have hampered his career early on, but he is talented.”
Ambry, a third-round choice by the 49ers in 2021, has 79 career tackles, 12 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 1 recovery.
Thomas was teammates with Vikings safety Josh Metellus in college at Michigan.
The Colts acquired Thomas one day after the 49ers waived him. They also waived him, this time due to a failed physical, one day later.
“The Colts failed former 49ers CB Ambry Thomas on his physical today, one day after claiming him on waivers, saying his previous forearm injury isn’t completely healed,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on December 19. “The 49ers cleared him over a month ago.”
However, Schefter claims that Thomas’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is in good condition.
“Ambry feels good and is ready to play,” Rosenhaus told Schefter. “My prediction is he will pass his next physical.”
Thomas has started 11 of his 42 career games. As a rookie, he allowed 62.5% completion rate on throws in coverage, according to Pro Football Reference. However, Thomas allowed for 83.3% and 70.2% completion rates in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Thomas turned 25 in September, adding some young to the Vikings’ veteran-laden cornerback room. Two of their top three corners, Stephan Gilmore and Shaquille Griffin, will be 30 or older by next season. All three players are free agents.
Dwight McGlothern turns 23 in February. However, he is an undrafted rookie free agency, and the Vikings’ other young players at the beginning of the season have either left or are not contributing.
Mekhi Blackmon ruptured his ACL before training camp. He is on injured reserve, with Najee Thompson. Khyree Jackson, a rookie fourth-round pick, was killed in a car crash in July. The Vikings traded Andrew Booth to the Dallas Cowboys and waived Akayleb Evans (Carolina Panthers).
Thomas joins former Cowboys Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright on the Vikings’ practice squad.
With only two regular-season games, Thomas may not see the field for the Vikings, giving him little time to grasp the playbook.
However, getting him into the facility early offers the Vikings an advantage in scouting him and determining his health status. This is further insurance for Fabian Moreau, who has already had to seek free agency due to injuries.
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