The Hype Train Rolls On for 1 Vikings UDFA
In 2023, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah lured undrafted defender Ivan Pace Jr. to the Twin Cities. The All-American linebacker went undrafted, primarily because of size concerns, but he has proven that those were overblown.
The Hype Train Rolls On for 1 Vikings UDFA
Instead, he has been a starter in Brian Flores’ defense for two seasons. He brings a never-ending motor and the ability to find and attack the ball-carrier quicker than most, in addition to his undeniable pass-rushing ability on blitz packages. His addition worked like an extra early-round draft pick.
This year, the Vikings have signed 20 UDFAs, and more could come via a rookie minicamp audition. Some of the signed players stand out and have drawn some praise, like BYU’s pass rusher Tyler Batty.
The other perceived steal was Kansas’ right tackle Logan Brown. Outlets keep mentioning him as a roster candidate. The latest one was Bleacher Report.
BR’s Brent Sobleski named one undrafted rookie most likely to make each team, and Brown was the lucky Viking to be nominated.
He wrote: “The Minnesota Vikings are set at offensive tackle with Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill for at least the next two seasons. However, the team’s depth at the position is concerning. The front office signed Justin Skule to serve as swing tackle, while Walter Rouse continues to develop after being a sixth-round pick last year. A lane exists for someone else to jump in and become the squad’s third or fourth tackle option. Kansas’ Logan Brown has the ability to secure that role early in his career.”
Justin Skule has shown his ability to play a backup tackle role with some spot starts in the past, and Walter Rouse was a late-round pick. It remains to be seen if he can grow in that role in the next year or two. Still, Brown might be able to unseat one of them.
Sobleski then quoted BR’s scout Brandon Thorne, who wrote ahead of the draft: “Brown has the size, play strength and power to develop into a swing tackle within his rookie contract and with added refinement to his technique, use of leverage and overall consistency could become a long-term spot starter.”
Brown posted impressive numbers in the pre-draft process and has the size to develop into a functioning tackle. His measurements are exceptional.
Now, why did he fall into the UDFA pool? One major reason could’ve been the fact that he got kicked off Wisconsin, allegedly for striking a teammate in practice.
Last season, he played 11 games for Kansas and finished the year without allowing a single sack or QB hit. The athleticism and the size are there, but the fundamentals need some work. Trying to get some guidance from the Vikings’ experienced offensive linemen would be a smart idea.
Sobleski wasn’t the first to point out Brown as a potential 53-man roster guy.
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner wrote last week: “Frankly, I was surprised to see Brown go undrafted. A 6-6, 311-pounder with near 34-inch arms and good explosion, Brown was a five-star recruit who transferred to Kansas in 2023 after Wisconsin dismissed him for reportedly striking another player during practice. He flashes NFL starter-level traits.”
Brown either needs to show enough promise to make Rouse or Skule expendable, or use the potential Christian Darrisaw rehab delay window to grab his roster spot for a few weeks. Rouse has also flirted with a move to guard, which could be another pathway.
PFF ranked Brown 150th on their big board. They documented: “Brown looks and grades like the kind of offensive tackle worth taking a chance on. He has an ideal athletic build for the position with great height, weight and length, and flashes power on contact and fluid movement skills. However, his fundamentals remain a work in progress — he plays too high, lunges into blocks and can misread run fits. Still, those issues appear coachable, making him a developmental tackle with upside.”
Everyone is high on Brown. He will be a guy to watch in training camp and the preseason.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference CFB helped with this article.