Undrafted Vikings Rookie Received a Stunning PFF Grade
The Minnesota Vikings prevailed in their first annual preseason game, beating the Houston Texans 20-10. Some players excelled, like defender Kahlef Hailassie, who entered the game at an unfamiliar position, or Gabriel Murphy, a pass-rusher.
Undrafted Vikings Rookie Received a Stunning PFF Grade
Those two went undrafted in their respective drafts, and another undrafted player, in fact, the man is a rookie, also had a fantastic game.
Joe Huber, an offensive guard, received the PFF grade of a superstar: 94.7. If you’re unfamiliar with the grading system, 99.9 is the best, and maybe one or two players per position earn a grade of above 90 over a full season. That’s Justin Jefferson All-Pro territory.
The sweet aspect is that it wasn’t just some small sample size. Huber played 55 offensive snaps, leading all Vikings in that game. He had 12 more than second-placed Michael Jurgens. The only snaps he missed were those of the first-team offense with J.J. McCarthy under center. Will Fries and Donovan Jackson played those.
PFF was especially impressed with his run blocking, but his pass protection wasn’t too messy either. He allowed a pair of QB pressures, but in 32 pass-blocking reps, that’s not alarming and he received a decent grade there, too.
Prior to the draft, scout Lance Zierlein wrote about the blocker: “Scheme-friendly interior lineman with guard/center flexibility. Huber is an athletic blocker who is quick off the ball. He plays with body control and accuracy as a pulling guard and on work-ups off of duo blocks, but he lacks the length and mass to win consistently against NFL power. He leans forward at times, creating quick losses at the point of attack and in protection. Huber is athletic in recovery mode, but he needs to calm his feet during pass sets and eliminate edge leakage. Huber projects as a solid backup whose ceiling could be defined by a coach’s ability to correct lunging and leaning.”
Zierlein viewed him as a late-round draft selection. Instead, the Vikings got him without spending a pick.
Huber spent the first three years of his college journey at Cincinnati, but transferred to Wisconsin for a couple of years. In those two years at Wisconsin, Huber allowed only one sack and three QB hits.
Minnesota’s interior offensive line has been a problem for years. Finally, the club emphasized those three spots this offseason, and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah handed offensive mastermind Kevin O’Connell three new starters. Will Fries and Ryan Kelly arrived in free agency, and Donovan Jackson in the first round of the draft.
That should be a massive upgrade over the predecessors, but the depth isn’t set by any means. Blake Brandel, last year’s left guard, is still in the mix and would be the likely alternate at either guard spot. But that’s about it. Sophomore center Michael Jurgens is the favorite to be the backup there, but he isn’t untouchable.
Huber collected exactly 16 snaps of experience at center in college. He logged about 800 snaps at each left guard, right guard, and right tackle. If he can show his versatility, becoming the backup center could be a chance for him, although it’s notable that all of Saturday’s 55 snaps came at right guard.
His next opportunity to display his skills will come this week when the New England Patriots (and their strong defensive line) will come to the Twin Cities to challenge the Vikings in joint practice and the preseason.
Huber could be a surprise player on the 53-man roster.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.