Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made heavy investments into UDFA draft class, and it could pay major dividends
One of the biggest things that separates Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah from other general managers across the National Football League is how he prioritizes the UDFA portion of the NFL Draft. Over the past four years, Adofo-Mensah has been incredibly active after the NFL Draft in signing players who weren't selected. In fact, […]
One of the biggest things that separates Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah from other general managers across the National Football League is how he prioritizes the UDFA portion of the NFL Draft.
Over the past four years, Adofo-Mensah has been incredibly active after the NFL Draft in signing players who weren't selected. In fact, eight players have made the 53-man roster after being signed as undrafted free agents.
- 2022: EDGE Luiji Vilain
- 2023: LB Ivan Pace Jr.
- 2023: EDGE Andre Carter II
- 2023: CB NaJee Thompson
- 2024: EDGE Gabe Murphy
- 2024: NT Taki Taimani
- 2024: CB Dwight McGlothern
- 2024: EDGE/LB Bo Richter
Vikings spent a fortune on UDFA class
Each year, there is a cap for how much each team can give out in signing bonus money for undrafted free agents. This year, the pool was $206,144. The Vikings have given out some large signing bonuses, including Ivan Pace Jr., who got $20,000 and $236,000 fully guaranteed.
This year was no different, as the Vikings gave eight players over $200k fully guaranteed and 12 players at least $10k in signing bonuses. Here is the full list of bonuses and guarantees, according to Over The Cap.
| Player | Guaranteed Salary | Signing Bonus |
|---|---|---|
EDGE Tyler Batty | $234,000 | $25,000 |
TE Ben Yurosek | $234,000 | $20,000 |
CB Zemiah Vaughn | $234,000 | $15,000 |
LB Austin Keys | $234,000 | $15,000 |
OT Logan Brown | $234,000 | $10,000 |
QB Max Brosmer | $234,000 | $10,000 |
EDGE Chaz Chambliss | $200,000 | $20,000 |
OG Joe Huber | $200,000 | $10,000 |
WR Silas Bolden | $190,000 | $15,000 |
RB Tre Stewart | $150,000 | $10,000 |
WR Dontae Fleming | $125,000 | $10,000 |
CB Keenan Garber | $100,000 | $7,500 |
TE Bryson Nesbit | $75,000 | $5,000 |
P Oscar Chapman | $70,000 | $2,500 |
OL Zeke Correll | $55,000 | $10,000 |
S Mishael Powell | $50,000 | $5,000 |
WR Robert Lewis | $20,000 | $0 |
LB Dorian Mausi | $0 | $5,000 |
DL Alex Williams | $0 | $0 |
WR Myles Price | $0 | $0 |
What's interesting about how much the Vikings gave these UDFAs in guaranteed money is how much the practice squad pays. The minimum practice squad salary for all 18 weeks is $234,000, which is the maximum the Vikings gave out in signing bonus.
It's a smart play by the Vikings to invest that kind of money into the UDFA pool, as having that kind of value on the practice squad is smart. Plus, guaranteed money also counts for players on the practice squad, so the Vikings don't waste their money, unless they cut them and they clear waivers.
Watch for the players at the top of the guaranteed money pool, as they are the most likely to make the roster.
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