Johnson Continues Vikings’ Signings

The Vikings inked the third of their five draft picks Wednesday morning, and they are expected to complete their draft signings as early as today.

Second-round pick Tyrell Johnson signed a four-year contract with the Vikings on Wednesday, with a bonus of $1.5 million and play-time incentives that could be worth $600,000 if he plays 35 percent of the defensive snaps in 2008 or 45 percent in 2009. The total value of the deal could be worth more than $3 million if Johnson reaches the incentives. He is expected to back up starters Madieu Williams and Darren Sharper in his first season with the team and eventually work his way into a starting role.

The lack of a long-term collective bargaining agreement did not hinder the process in getting Johnson signed, said his agent Jack Bechta.

Johnson, a product of Arkansas State, holds Sun Belt Conference records for most tackles (363), most interception return yards (309) in a career, the single-season record for most yards gained on interception returns (142 in 2007) and the single-game record for most tackles in a game (25 vs. North Texas, 2005). He also ranks second in conference history with a 92-yard interception return and 28 passes defensed in his career. His 13 interceptions are third in Sun Belt history and he was the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. During his college career, he also tallied four fumbles and recovered two and made 6 ½ tackles-for-loss.

Johnson’s mother was a sprinter at the University of Arkansas and his father is former NBA player Alvin Robertson.