1 undrafted free agent who will make Vikings’ 2024 roster

The Minnesota Vikings are banking on first-round draft choices J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner playing lead roles, potentially as soon as this season. But general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has many responsibilities in trying to build a contender in Minnesota. That includes finding undrafted rookie free agents who can make a contribution to the team.

This has always been a challenge for all teams, but quite necessary when it comes to finding depth and doing it at a bargain price. The Vikings were successful in that area last year as linebacker Ivan Pace not only made the team, he made key contributions to defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ defense.

Pace played in all 17 games for the Vikings and he started in 11 of them. He had an eye-catching 102 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 9 quarterback hits, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. He had a solid college career at Miami (Ohio), and he figures to play an important role for this year’s team.

In addition to Pace, former Viking wide receiver Adam Thielen came to the team as an undrafted free agent.  He played is college football at unheralded Minnesota State, and he went undrafted in 2014. Thielen starred for the Vikings, playing nine years in Minnesota before moving onto the Carolina Panthers last season. He had a spectacular season in 2018, catching 113 passes for 1,373 yards and 9 touchdowns. He also had a brilliant season in 2020 when he caught 74-925-14.

The all-time greatest undrafted rookie free agent who started his career as a rookie free agent is DT John Randle. The Hall of Famer started his career in Minnesota in 1990, and he played 11 years with the Vikings and three more to close his career with the Seahawks. Randle is a 7-time Pro Bowler and a 6-time All-Pro. Randle had 7 double-digit sack seasons in his career, including 6 with the Vikings. He had a career-best of 15.5 sacks in 1997.

1 undrafted free agent who will make Vikings’ roster

The Vikings signed 17 undrafted rookies after the draft was over,  including edge rusher Gabriel Murphy of UCLA, cornerback Dwight McGlothern Jr. of Arkansas, edge rusher of Owen Porter of Marshall and edge rusher of Bo Richter of Air Force.

All four of these players could make the team, but McGlothern may have the best chance to become a key contributor.

Many draft observers expected McGlothern to be drafted in the fifth or sixth round, but that did not happen. The Vikings have needed significant help in their secondary for years, and McGlothern will have a chance to show Flores what he can do in rookie camp, OTAs and training camp.

McGlothern started his college career at LSU before moving on to Arkansas in 2022. He has been an impact player and he allowed just one reception of 15 yards last year. He can simply shut down big plays. McGlothern is not the fastest runner — which explans why he was not drafted — but he does have a 32-inch vertical leap.

McGlothern has good size for the position at 6-2 and 182 pounds. He had 52 tackles and 10 passes defensed along with 4 interceptions in 2022 for the Razorbacks. His numbers were not as substantial last season, as he had 20 tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 passes defensed and 1 forced fumble.

Murphy is likely to give McGlothern a run for his money, and he could make the team as well.

Murphy is a high-level athlete who runs a 4.68 40, but he lacks the kind of size that most coaches prefer. He checks in at 6-2 and 247 pounds, and he also has somewhat shorter arms. These are issues when it comes to rushing the passer, but Murphy had 8.0 sacks and 16 tackles for loss last year and he must be taken seriously. He appears to be an impact player.