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Second-year defensive tackle Fred Evans, released by the Miami Dolphins in June after he was arrested in Miami Beach by police who were forced to employ tasers to subdue him, has signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

The deal for Evans came after Vikings officials did considerable background work on him and after he met twice with coach Brad Childress. Former Miami director of pro scouting George Paton, who played a role in Evans' selection by the Dolphins in 2006, is now part of the Minnesota personnel department, and was actively involved in the pursuit of the young defensive tackle.

"They did their homework, and it's a good situation for Fred," agent Drew Rosenhaus said on Sunday afternoon. "He gives them depth at a position where they needed it. It's great for him to be back in the league."

Evans was charged in late June with battery on a police officer, resisting arrest with violence, trespassing and disorderly conduct. Evans allegedly was involved in an altercation with a cab driver and, when police were summoned, refused to leave the cab even after he was apprised that he was being arrested.

According to the incident report, "a physical struggle" ensued, and police subsequently used tasers to bring Evans under control.

Evans' situation was further compounded by the news that he was already on probation for marijuana possession charges in Texas. Authorities in Colorado County, Texas, confirmed Evans was sentenced June 6 to one year of deferred adjudication after pleading no contest to a Feb. 10 arrest for misdemeanor marijuana possession.

Rosenhaus said that Evans and his attorneys are dealing with his legal issues and hope to have them resolved before the start of the season. There is also the possibility that Evans could face NFL sanctions. Rosenhaus said he has had discussions with league officials about Evans' status.

"I think it's going to have a positive impact on our team," Childress told the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Sunday. "We thoroughly researched this kid. I look at each situation individually. It doesn't mean character's not important. It's very important to me and to this football team. I think we've got a good group in the locker room and I think he'll benefit from being in this situation."

A former Texas State-San Marcos standout, and a seventh-round pick in the 2006 draft, Evans played in only one game as a rookie, the season finale at Indianapolis, and registered two tackles. But there were indications before his release that, in his second season, Evans would play a more prominent role for a Miami defense attempting to infuse some youth into the lineup, and that he would have challenged for extended playing time.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.