Vikings Employ a Rather Mysterious Defender
Undrafted rookies have traditionally played a big role in Minnesota’s franchise history. Mick Tingelhoff anchored the Vikings’ offensive line for nearly two decades, while John Randle was a feared Hall of Fame defender. Receiver Adam Thielen is still cherished in the Twin Cities, and the current squad features examples like fullback C.J. Ham and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (among others).
Vikings Employ a Rather Mysterious Defender
The current regime around GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has emphasized the undrafted rookie market, attempting to snatch some promising candidates each year.
Last offseason, Gabriel Murphy Jr. was viewed as the next big thing. Undrafted out of UCLA, many expected him to be part of the 53-man roster despite the strong competition.
Indeed, he remained on the team but received very little playing time, primarily due to an injury sustained in the summer. Because of his absence, we have no clue if he’s closer to playing significant snaps this year or looking for a new employer in September.
Murphy was a fascinating prospect, highly touted by various analysts after the draft who couldn’t believe his tumble into undrafted territory despite the productive 2023 season.
His size concerns have likely played a significant role in his slide. His arm length is almost unprecedented, although that didn’t bother him in college. He tabulated eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss last year at UCLA.
The pass rusher turned heads quickly in camp. Head coach Kevin O’Connell offered some praise last August: “Super versatile, a guy that can rush on the edges, he rushed inside in the dime group. What’s been really cool is just seeing his impact even in the run game, from a physicality setting the edge standpoint, and he’s got some versatility like what we’ve tried to build in that edge room of guys that can maybe play off the ball as well. … Gabe has put himself very much so in that conversation [to make the 53-man roster].”
The injury forced the Vikings to decide between releasing him or stashing him on IR. The franchise chose the latter, showing that they value his talent despite not being able to put him on the field. Once healthy, he was signed to the practice squad and later appeared in two games, logging 35 defensive snaps.
He has barely seen the field, but his opportunity could arrive in 2025, considering outside linebacker Patrick Jones II has left for Carolina. Fellow sophomore Dallas Turner will take his spot behind starters Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, but the fourth slot in that room is vacant.
The Vikings haven’t added anyone in the draft or free agency. Murphy’s competition will be last year’s undrafted rookie Bo Richter, who was primarily a special-teamer. Murphy played defensive snaps ahead of Richter in the two games he played, indicating that he is viewed as a better defender. Also in the mix are this year’s UDFAs, Tyler Batty and Chaz Chambliss.
Flores, the guy calling the shots on defense, also praised Murphy during last season’s training camp: “The thing that stands out is just his football IQ. He’s very bright. It’s very important to him. We were in a staff meeting the other day, and (someone) said that Gabe Murphy despises bad football. That’s a good thought for a coach to say about a player. He’s done a [really] nice job. I’m excited to see him moving forward in preseason games. We’ve got a long way to go, but he’s off to a good start.”
Murphy has a chance to rise as the OLB4 and play a few hundred snaps in 2025, but he might not even be associated with the Vikings by the time the season starts in September. A big training camp and preseason would go a long way. For the next ten weeks, his role will remain unknown.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
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