Pats Pulpit
Head coach Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores know the preseason visitors well.
But there’s a longer line of connections between the 90-man rosters of the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots.
Here’s a glance through the list of players who’ve had stints with both organizations ahead of joint practices and Saturday’s 1 p.m. ET kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Giovanni Ricci, tight end — The 28-year-old Ricci joined the Vikings’ tight end depth chart in June. He had been released by the Patriots as a vested veteran following the 2025 NFL draft after signing a futures contract in February. The former first-team All-MAC selection out of Western Michigan has appeared in 36 games since going undrafted in 2020, doubling as a fullback. Making initial stops with the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns, his career includes four starts, nine receptions and 102 yards.
Joshua Dobbs, quarterback — The veteran backup to Drake Maye arrived on a two-year deal in March and found the end zone with his legs in the preseason opener. Since entering the NFL in the fourth round of the 2017 draft at No. 135 overall, Dobbs has appeared in 23 games and made 15 starts. The 30-year-old Tennessee product’s past clubs include the San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals. There was a run in Minnesota, too. Dobbs made his way there at the trade deadline in 2023. Four starts followed. He completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 895 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions, adding 163 yards and three scores on the ground.
Stefon Diggs, wide receiver — The former No. 146 overall pick out of Maryland finds himself 144 games into his NFL career. He has been a Pro Bowler four times, an All-Pro two times and a captain in both the AFC South and AFC East. But the 31-year-old Diggs ran his initial routes as a Viking. From 2015 through 2019, the wideout amassed 365 catches for 4,623 yards and 30 touchdowns. He went on to lead the league in receptions and receiving yards upon being traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2020. His streak of six consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns came to a close due to a torn ACL last fall with the Houston Texans.
Vederian Lowe, offensive tackle — The 26-year-old Lowe cleared the physically unable to perform list in the second week of Patriots training camp and did not play in the August opener. He has appeared in 25 games, including 21 starts, for the offensive line since arriving. A touchdown was scored as an eligible target last season, as well. Lowe had been acquired leading up to the NFL’s 2023 cutdown deadline. The Vikings had selected the tackle out of Illinois at pick No. 184 overall in the 2022 draft class. Four games were notched by Lowe as a rookie.
Tyrese Robinson, guard — The second week of the preseason brings a second former...
