Bangally Kamara
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Over the weekend the Minnesota Vikings had a whole gaggle of rookies at TCO Performance Center for their rookie minicamp. Beyond just their nine draft picks, Kevin O’Connell and his coaching staff got an opportunity to evaluate dozens of undrafted free agents, along with some non-rookies too.
Of course, there are still a couple months until training camp, and the roster shuffling between now and then will surely continue. Not all of the moves will be as significant as the Jauan Jennings signing last week, but if we’ve learned anything about the Vikings, even the smallest signings can wind up being major contributors.
Just last month, for example, TWO one-time undrafted free agents — Adam Thielen and CJ Ham — both hung up their cleats after incredible NFL careers that lasted a decade-plus.
More defensive additions for Minnesota Vikings
And on Monday, Brian Flores — who is back to lead the Minnesota Vikings defense on a hefty new contract — hopes he found a couple more of those guys over the weekend at rookie minicamp.
Because the Vikings DC saw enough from DT Smith Vilbert and LB Bangally Kamara to make them the latest undrafted free agents to sign an NFL contract in Minnesota.
The #Vikings have signed LB Bangally Kamara and DL Smith Vilbert.
📰: https://t.co/sV9dZZzWto pic.twitter.com/kVTTPwGP91
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 11, 2026
Vilbert played his final collegiate season under Bill Belichick at North Carolina. The interior defensive lineman finished with six tackles for loss and a sack. He racked up 22 total tackles and had a pair of fumble recoveries. Across six collegiate seasons, including five years with Penn State, he played in 47 games.
Linebacker Bangally Kamara started his college career with Pittsburgh before transferring to South Carolina, and eventually Kansas. As a senior for the Jayhawks, he recorded 56 tackles, 9.5 for losses, and 1.5 sacks.
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Defense has been a focal point all offseason. In the NFL Draft, they spent most of their pics on that side of the ball, including their first two — Caleb Banks (DT) and Jake Golday (LB).
Vilbert now enters a crowded interior defensive line with guys who are hungry to get their hands on snaps vacated by both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. Kamara, meanwhile, will fight for reps behind starters Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson, along with Golday and others.
Mentioned in this article: Bangally Kamara Contract Smith Vilbert UDFA
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