Emmanuel

Arceneaux

The former CFL star finished the preseason with 86 yards on four receptions, catching a pass in each of the Vikings’ exhibition games. He’ll take Stephen Burton’s spot on the roster as Minnesota’s No. 4 receiver down the stretch.

Simpson is not eligible to play until Week 4. Childs has the size at 6'3/219 and a 4.55 40 to go with it, but he’s been battling a knee injury since his junior year at Arkansas. He also missed the majority of the offseason program due to a calf strain. Childs will have to prove his health and beat out Stephen Burton/Emmanuel Arceneaux at training camp.

Fourth-rounder Jarius Wright is likely locked in, and Michael Jenkins’ salary cut gives him a better chance to stick. Burton’s primary competition could be former CFL star Emmanuel Arcenaux, who has improved more than any player WRs coach George Stewart has coached in 25 years. Kerry Taylor and Bryan Walters are also in the mix. Burton could end up starting for the suspended Jerome Simpson in Week 1 if he makes the team.

Arceneaux is returning to a league where he’s had success after failing to latch on with either the Vikings or Jets. He appeared in three games for Minnesota in 2011, catching one pass. Arceneaux will turn 26 in September.

A former CFL star, Arceneaux appeared in three games for the Vikings in 2011, but couldn’t crack an active roster last season. Heading back to Canada may be his best professional bet. Mayo has never appeared in an NFL game.

The key number is a $75K signing bonus, which on a three-year deal is the equivalent of a sixth-round pick. Arceneaux played college ball at Alcorn State and spent the past two seasons with the BC Lions. He ran forty in the 4.44-4.52 range for the Vikings, and will have a shot at the fifth receiver job this offseason.

The former Alcorn State star has worked out for eight NFL teams over the past two weeks. Arceneaux caught 67 passes for 1,114 yards, and five TDs in 2010 after posting 63 receptions for 858 yards, and seven TDs as a rookie in 2009. The Vikes and Bears are also in on Saskatchewan Roughriders WR Andy Fantuz.

The Vikings gave Arceneaux a relatively lofty $75,000 signing bonus to sign last winter. The former CFL star outlasted Jaymar Johnson, but just couldn’t crack the 53. He’ll go on the practice squad if he clears waivers.