The Vikings took a pair of linebackers from Penn State in the draft and those two players are the first members of the 2013 draft class to sign with the team.
Twitter was the venue for announcements by both Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti that they have reached agreement on four-year deals with the team. That leaves seven more draft picks -- including first rounders Sharrif Floyd, Cordarrelle Patterson and Xavier Rhodes -- left to sign.
Hodges, who was taken in the fourth round with the 120th overall pick, is destined for an outside linebacker spot with the Vikings. That could be the starting spot on the weak-side in his rookie season if things break right. The Vikings currently have Erin Henderson in the middle and Chad Greenway on the strong-side, but could still add a veteran to round out the group.
Mauti was a very productive player in college, but three ACL tears pushed him to the seventh round last month. His last torn ACL came on November 17, but Mauti’s said that he expects to be ready for training camp. If he’s physically sound and able to produce the same way he did in the Big Ten, he could work himself into the mix early in his career.
UPDATE 3:15 p.m. ET: The Vikings announced both signings and also announced that seventh-round defensive tackle Everett Dawkins has signed his contract.