Minnesota Vikings’ scouting staff continues to get praise for their offseason work this preseason, and it’s getting hard to ignore
Their lack of success in recent NFL Drafts has been a major topic for the last few years, but their UDFA success continues to thrive.
Under former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the Minnesota Vikings didn’t have a lot of success in the NFL Draft. There were some hits, like wide receiver Jordan Addison and kicker Will Reichard, but the lack of consistency has been an issue.
Where the Vikings have had success is the undrafted free agent market. Over the last four years, they have kept 15 undrafted free agent rookies on the final 53-man roster. Some have seen a good amount of success, like linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. This year, the Vikings have already had multiple standout UDFAs.
Minnesota Vikings have two UDFA standouts
This year, the Vikings added 19 undrafted free agents right after the draft and more in the weeks that followed. Their biggest hit to date has been safety Jacob Thomas. The James Madison product has been excellent for the Vikings, including getting multiple first-team reps. He’s also posted the highest Pro Football Focus grade among rookies per Pro Football Focus.
“The highest-graded rookie in the NFL through the first two weeks of preseason, Thomas has earned a 90.9 PFF coverage grade and a 72.4 PFF run-defense grade. He has made three tackles resulting in a defensive stop and recorded an interception and a pass breakup.”
Thomas isn’t just fighting for a roster spot anymore; he’s arguably fighting for playing time this season. His ability has been excellent across the board. Thomas diagnoses plays really well, and thrives in multiple areas on the field. He’s showing that the Vikings were very smart in signing him.
Thomas isn’t the only one, as linebacker Bangally Kamara, who only got a contract after shining in rookie minicamp, is currently the ninth-highest graded rookie.
“Kamara has been all over the field through two preseason games, particularly as a run defender, where he has earned an 86.4 PFF grade. He has yet to miss a tackle and has recorded nine tackles resulting in a defensive stop, leading all players in preseason.”
Kamara has really stood out to me as a player worth investing in. It’s obvious that he’s athletic, but the number of times that he’s correct in his diagnosis of plays paired with that athleticism is excellent. Now, he’s only doing it against the third-team offense of the opposing team, but giving him some reps against the second-team could help you determine how much that will translate moving forward.
It’s another good crop of UDFAs for the Vikings, and that’s never a bad thing.
