PFF Tosses Over Both the Gold and Silver Medal to Vikings for UDFA Deals
Vikings fans aren’t accustomed to taking the top spot. Since 1961, the team has been stifled when it comes to that elusive Lombardi. Someday getting that trophy will trump any and all other achievements in the team’s history.
For whatever it’s worth, though, PFF recently tossed a gold and silver medal toward the Vikings for their work in undrafted free agency. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made at least a couple notable moves following the NFL Draft.
Gold and Silver for the Vikings
Fairly surprisingly, the Vikings didn’t draft a single linebacker or edge rusher. Given Minnesota’s thoroughly underwhelming defensive effort in 2022, completely overlooking these positions came as a surprise.
Nevertheless, the team clearly wanted to beef up those spots. Adofo-Mensah was able to land linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. and EDGE Andre Carter II. PFF had these guys as the highest two players remaining on their draft board. In a sense, then, Minnesota agreed to deals with the first and second best UDFAs (at least from the PFF perspective).
Take a peak at what PFF had to say about Mr. Pace, an off-ball linebacker:
Pace was the highest-graded linebacker in the FBS last season, earning a 93.2 overall grade, which included a 90.7 run-defense grade (third) and a 93.3 pass-rush grade (first) that led to 55 pressures and 12 sacks — both the most among linebackers. Pace was one of the smaller linebackers in the draft at 5-foot-10 and 231 pounds and only scored a 5.71 relative athletic score (RAS), but his on-field quickness and blitzing ability should allow for a perfect fit in Brian Flores’ defense.
Vikings fans are going to love learning about a linebacker who is ultra aggressive and capable of getting to the quarterback. Plus, Pace seems a bit upset about sliding out of the draft entirely, letting the league’s teams know on social media that they made a mistake (though in stronger language).
Meanwhile, the super-long Carter will be in the running for a depth edge rusher role. At 6’7, 260 pounds, Carter certainly looks like an NFL pass rusher.
PFF draws attention to his stellar 2021 before noting some of his struggles to repeat in 2022: “In 2022, Carter could not build on his elite 2021 season, which also saw him post 59 pressures and 15 sacks, but he still earned strong pass-rush marks (82.1) and has the size and length to make him worth investing in as a project edge rusher.”
As Josh Frey recently noted on PurplePTSD, the Vikings gave Carter a sizable deal. In the NFL, money tell you what you need to know. Adofo-Mensah values Carter’s potential and skills so the GM responded by kicking over a hefty deal to get the pass rusher into a purple uniform.
The current edge rusher hierarchy features Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, and Za’Darius Smith at the top. The uncertainty rests in whether Za’Darius will return (it’s unlikely but still possible). The team will want to be confident in whoever is behind Hunter and Davenport – Patrick Jones, D.J. Wonnum, etc. – since each have battled injury in the past.
The 2022 Vikings defense had an uninspiring 38 sacks. Only ten teams put forth a more modest number. The league-leading Eagles almost doubled that total with an eye-popping 70 sacks. If Ivan Pace Jr. and Andre Carter II can push Minnesota closer to 70 than 38, they’ll find a spot on Minnesota’s roster.
In total, the Vikings came to an agreement with 15 UDFAs.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
