New England Patriots sign Minnesota Vikings O-lineman Tyrese Robinson

In some under-the-radar news on Tuesday morning, according to Mike Reiss (ESPN), the New England Patriots are signing 25-year-old offensive guard Tyrese Robinson off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, meaning he will be on their 53-man active roster. If he logs a snap for the Patriots, it will be the first of his NFL career.

It isn't a trade acquisition, but the Patriots are adding to their roster today — they are moving forward with plans to sign OG Tyrese Robinson off the Vikings practice squad, per sources.

6-3, 317, out of Oklahoma.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 5, 2024

As Reiss notes, Tyrese Robinson is an Oklahoma Sooner product. He started three years in Norman, from 2019-2021, playing mostly right guard, but some right tackle, as well. The 6’3″ 317 lb NFL guard had a 75.5 PFF grade in his final season, but logged a total of 2,451 snaps during his collegiate career.

What if…

Who knows whether or not the New England Patriots will utilize Robinson. Being on the 53-man roster doesn’t make you a starter. But if he does find the field, it’ll be interesting to see how he plays. Remember, the Minnesota Vikings worst position on offense is probably right guard.

Related: Minnesota Vikings’ NFC North Rivals Dealing Early on NFL Trade Deadline Day

Ed Ingram is the worst starter on Minnesota’s offensive line, and Dalton Risner can’t beat him out… at least not yet. Maybe the Pats find out why Tyrese Robinson was buried on the Vikings practice squad, but if he has any small inkling of success in Boston, fans will be left wondering why he never got a look in Minneapolis.

Which Minnesota Vikings roster moves were most surprising?

Kevin O’Connell begins his third season as the leader of the Minnesota Vikings. As he seeks to usher in a new era at the quarterback position, plenty of roster spots were in flux. The total contingent of the coaching staff found themselves responsible for roster decisions, but at least a few raised eyebrows.

Kene Nwangwu – Running Back

Minnesota opting against rostering Kene Nwangwu was certainly a surprise. The former fourth round pick carved out a role as a kick return specialist. This preseason he also flashed as a traditional running back. With the new kick return rules he seemed like someone who could shine. Minnesota clearly has other intentions there.

HOUSE CALL!

Kene Nwangwu goes 48 yards for the @Vikings TD!

📺: #LVvsMIN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/4rloO6OlLM

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024

Without Nwangwu in the fold, Minnesota has just a pair of running backs. Aaron Jones has previously dealt with injury and Ty Chandler doesn’t have a long track record of starting success. The Vikings likely have their eyes on another running back. That doesn’t mitigate the surprise of the Nwangwu cut.

Related: Final List of Minnesota Vikings Roster Cuts – 2024

Lewis Cine – Safety

It’s not at all surprising that Lewis Cine didn’t make the Vikings roster. It is at least somewhat surprising no trade partner emerged. Cine has played just ten defensive snaps during his career. Eight of them came last season. Despite being a first round pick, Cine has been a non-factor.

Lewis Cine Preseason Week 2:

🏈 11 total tackles
🏈 1 interception
🏈 1 pass breakup
🏈 1 sack
🏈 2 quarterback hits
🏈 1 tackle for loss
🏈 1 massive hit-stick

Led the Vikings defense in every statistic. pic.twitter.com/ZiQlzSnduv

— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) August 17, 2024

That said, he was showcased during the Cleveland Browns preseason game and showed out. The results against the Philadelphia Eagles were not as great, and could have soured suitors. Interest was there from multiple teams, but no deal ever materialized, and it’s hard to imagine what someone with so little value would have required.

Bo Richter – OLB

Of course Richter isn’t a household name. If you watched the preseason at all though, you saw him be a complete disruptor for the Vikings. Minnesota has overhauled the edge rusher position with Johnathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel taking over. Dallas Turner is a promising rookie and Brian Flores builds his defense on the pass rush. Richter could have been kept as depth.

Bo Richter recognizes the rollout and is in the QB's lap before he even turns around. Easy work on the sack for him because he read it right. pic.twitter.com/bBrbKl9UCK

— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) August 19, 2024

It seems unlikely that Richter will make it to the practice squad, but he would be a candidate to keep around. Van Ginkel dealt with an injury this offseason. It could take Turner a bit of time to get up to speed. It would not be at all surprising to see Richter bringing down quarterbacks on Sunday’s this season.

Tyrese Robinson – OG

This may have been more of a shock had the Vikings not found a way to keep Dalton Risner around. Despite Ed Ingram and Blake Brandel winning the starting spots, the veteran was placed on IR with a designation to return. Risner could be back as soon as Week 5, and that gives O’Connell’s offensive line a safety blanket.

Tyrese Robinson and Michael Jurgens create a wide hole for Myles Gaskin to run through, and he hits it hard, well before the LB is able to get to him and into the second level of the defense. pic.twitter.com/b4oa1gtMAi

— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) August 21, 2024

Robinson flashed during the preseason, and there was a time where he looked to challenge Ingram. The former LSU product has not solidified his starting spot. While it won’t be Robinson who takes over for him, it could be Risner down the line.

Related: Vikings Place Separate Injury Designations on TJ Hockenson and Stud UDFA Gabe Murphy

Cut down is now behind the Minnesota Vikings. Who they claim and how their practice squad fills out is up next.

Let the UDFA rain down for the Minnesota Vikings

Say what you want about Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s draft prowess. He has missed in some big spots there. Undrafted free agents have become a focal point for the Minnesota Vikings since Ivan Pace Jr. became a star last season. The 2024 roster could certainly include another UDFA or two that turn heads. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis sees a few making the cut. The names Lewis has making the team are intriguing, and each has a well-reasoned explanation as to why.

• Tyrese Robinson (OL) – “How about Robinson, whom coaches have liked watching this preseason? Robinson is a bold pick here, but why not be bold?”
• Taki Taimani (IDL) – “If Robinson is the first bold pick of the projection, Taimani is the second. Last year, fifth-round pick Jaquelin Roy occupied the backup nose tackle spot. He has had a ho-hum camp this year, potentially opening a spot for Taimani”
• Gabriel Murphy (Edge) – “The Vikings can place two players on IR and designate them to where they don’t count against the 53-man roster. Murphy might be a candidate for this. The undrafted edge rusher from UCLA wowed coaches in the first few weeks of camp, then suffered an undisclosed injury and has not been present since. Cutting him could risk losing him, so this is the sensible approach.”
• Dwight McGlothern (CB) – “Parting with Evans also opens the door for McGlothern, who has displayed a knack for the ball all camp.”

If all four undrafted free agents make the Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster, that would be even with the amount of drafted rookies to be included. Adofo-Mensah has done a great job of identifying talent on the fringes, and each of these talents could make noise.

Related: New Name Emerging in Minnesota Vikings RG Battle?

Should any of the 2024 UDFA work out like Pace Jr. did, the Vikings will be ecstatic.

Which UDFA could contribute most for Minnesota Vikings?

The Minnesota Vikings will have plenty of opportunity for talent to step up. It’s not a surprise that three of the four aforementioned names play on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores needs his group to take another step forward this season and there are positions that present openings.

Tyrese Robinson and Michael Jurgens create a wide hole for Myles Gaskin to run through, and he hits it hard, well before the LB is able to get to him and into the second level of the defense. pic.twitter.com/b4oa1gtMAi

— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) August 21, 2024

Blake Brandel is starting at guard for the first time in his career. Dalton Risner signed to challenge both Brandel and Ed Ingram, but he hasn’t been healthy. Ingram has remained a problem, and the guard spot could need a jolt. If that winds up being the case, Robinson may force his way into actions.

Tragedy took away Khyree Jackson before his career could get started. His physical traits were something that excited coaches, and that remains true for Dwight McGlothern. He’s currently deep on the depth chart out of the gate. He can definitely factor in down the stretch. Taimani plays a spot that Minnesota needs to be better at as well, so showing out will get him noticed.

Dwight McGlothern's INT against the Browns. Ball was overthrown to the TE and McGlothern was able to recognize that, and go down and catch the ball. pic.twitter.com/OmlKR4S0gu

— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) August 19, 2024

Minnesota’s edge rushing group has been turned over since last season. Murphy is an exciting prospect, but he hasn’t been healthy. A late start behind Johnathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner makes his chances a serious uphill battle.

Related: Another UDFA Could Reportedly Sneak onto Minnesota Vikings’ Final Roster

No matter what, the Vikings getting contributions from UDFA’s again this year would be great to see.

Tyrese Robinson coming for Minnesota Vikings RG job

As training camp opened the Minnesota Vikings presumably had three names for two guard positions. Blake Brandel, Ed Ingram, and Dalton Risner appeared as the likely candidates.

Brandel is moving from tackle to guard, and Risner returns to challenge Ingram. Tyrese Robinson was the star of Saturday’s preseason action though, and Star Tribune writer Mark Craig took notice.

“Tyrese Robinson. Probably not a name you expected to hear muttered after Saturday’s game. The 317-pounder replaced starter Ed Ingram on the third series and played the rest of the game. Played very well, too. He’s an undrafted player from 2021 who’s on his third team without rising above the practice squad. He’s still a little raw. Still has some work to do on his body. But he plays with power and is bigger than Ingram, who played two series when the other starting linemen played only one.”

Mark Craig on Vikings guard Tyrese Robinson

It wasn’t as though Craig was the only one who noticed either. When running back Kene Nwangwu broke a big 48-yard scamper, he was quick to point out where the opportunity came from as well. “The right guard and the right tackle, man, they opened a big hole.”

Related: Three Years In, and Ed Ingram Is Still A Problem

Can Tyrese Robinson elevate for Minnesota Vikings?

Ingram has been scrutinized for some time now. Vikings coaches clearly think he is better than Dalton Risner, who took over as the left guard starter for Ezra Cleveland, last season. Risner pretty much had to beg his way back onto the roster, prior to training camp.

If the Vikings are talking up Robinson, which they obviously are. Breer was at TCO Performance Center last week talking to Kevin O’Connell, among others. Then, it means they are not content with what Ed Ingram is bringing to the roster at right guard. Obviously, nothing has been guaranteed to the former LSU product.

Kene Nwangwu is FASTTTTT 💨
pic.twitter.com/RcReYybzxQ

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 10, 2024

The more that he can make impact plays, like the one that sprung Nwangwu loose on Saturday, the better Robinson’s chances are to make the roster and maybe even play. His 87.3 PFF grade in pass blocking was nothing to overlook either.

Related: Left Guard No Longer a Weakness for Vikings?

It remains unlikely, at this point, that the Vikings would start Robinson in Week 1. But the Minnesota Vikings like him and his size gives him an advantage over Ingram and Risner. Maybe we see him more on rushing downs? We’ll find out.