Reports: Free agent safety Taylor Mays visits Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are continuing to pursue a few options during NFL free agency.
According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, safety Taylor Mays is visiting the Vikings Wednesday night and Thursday.
#Bengals S Taylor Mays will have dinner with #Vikings brass tonight and have a free agent visit tomorrow. Intriguing options for Mike Zimmer
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2015
Mays spent the last four years with the Cincinnati Bengals, who acquired him in a trade with San Francisco the year after he was drafted by the 49ers in the second round of the 2010 draft.
With the Bengals he played primarily in a backup role recording 98 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Pro Football Talk notes that Mays has the ability to play some at linebacker and contribute on special teams.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is familiar with Mays' abilities from their three years together in Cincinnati. According to the Star Tribune, Mays played a significant role in Zimmer's defenses, but his role reduced when Zimmer came to Minnesota.
"Mays is more of an in-the-box safety who can hit," CBS and NFL Network analyst Solomon Wilcots tells the Pioneer Press. "He would help the defense. I still think he's got better years ahead of him and I think Zim knows how to use him."
Mays is the third player with connections to Zimmer, who has visited the Vikings during free agency. Cornerback Terence Newman and defensive end Michael Johnson are the other two.
