What are Vikings Getting with UDFA WR Shaleak Knotts?

The Minnesota Vikings signed former Maryland wide receiver Shaleak Knotts as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft, adding competition to the position group with the team’s offseason program on the horizon.

The Monroe, North Carolina native and former four-star recruit spent all four seasons of his college career at Maryland, recording limited production early in his collegiate career before eventually emerging as one of the team’s top receiving threats. After posting just 12 receptions for 80 yards and zero touchdowns in 19 games over the span of his first two seasons, Knotts hauled in 11 receptions for 161 yards and one touchdown across 12 games (one start) as a junior.

Knotts’ senior season is where he truly found his footing, posting 44 receptions (third on the team) for 717 yards (team-high and 13th in the Big Ten) and six touchdowns (team-high and tied for 11th in the conference) across 12 games and 10 starts.

At Maryland’s Pro Day, Knotts measured in at 6-foot-3 and 186 pounds with 32 1/4-inch arms, 9 5/8-inch hands and a 78-inch wingspan. He ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash with a 1.59-second 10-yard split, along with a 7.43-second three-cone drill, 4.59-second 20-yard shuttle, 36 1/2-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-3 broad jump.

Knotts enters a favorable situation in Minnesota, where the Vikings continue searching for long-term depth behind established receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and newly acquired veteran Jauan Jennings after losing Jalen Nailor to the Las Vegas Raiders. While securing a roster spot as an undrafted free agent will still be an uphill climb, Knotts possesses several traits that could help him stand out throughout training camp and the preseason to potentially stick around for the remainder of his rookie season.

With his size, Knotts has a larger catch radius and outside versatility that complements Minnesota’s current receiver room. His late-career production jump at Maryland also showed growing confidence in tracking the football downfield and creating separation against man coverage.

Knotts also enters the league with relatively low mileage compared to his fellow receivers in the 2026 draft class, as he was never given a heavy workload until his senior season. That developmental upside could make him an intriguing practice squad candidate if he shows consistency throughout training camp. It’s also essential that he proves willing to contribute on special teams.

Minnesota appears to continue looking for bigger-bodied complementary targets capable of capitalizing on favorable one-on-one opportunities throughout the offseason, and Knotts fits that profile well.