The Vikings received mixed reviews for their draft class but their undrafted free agent class is receiving praise from Pro Football Focus.
Among the 15 undrafted free agents the Vikings signed were PFF’s top two UDFAs in Ivan Pace Jr. and Andre Carter II.
Pace is a 5’10″m 231-pound linebacker from Cincinnati who was knocked for his size. PFF writes, “Pace was the highest-graded linebacker in the FBS last season, earning a 93.2 overall grade, which included a 90.7 run-defense grade (third) and a 93.3 pass-rush grade (first) that led to 55 pressures and 12 sacks — both the most among linebackers.”
The linebacker ranked 113th on PFF’s Big Board heading into the draft and despite his size, his “on-field quickness and blitzing ability should allow for a perfect fit in Brian Flores’ defense,” PFF concludes.
Carter was signed to one of the biggest UDFA deals ever when the Vikings offered the Army pass rusher a $300,000 base salary that includes a $40,000 signing bonus.
“The Vikings strike again, grabbing the 6-foot-7 and 260-pound Carter, who earned a 93.4 pass-rush grade in 2021 with Army, which tied Aidan Hutchinson for the best in the FBS among edge defenders,” writes PFF.
“In 2022, Carter could not build on his elite 2021 season, which also saw him post 59 pressures and 15 sacks, but he still earned strong pass-rush marks (82.1) and has the size and length to make him worth investing in as a project edge rusher.”
Carter was able to pursue his NFL dream thanks to President Joe Biden signing the 2023 omnibus appropriations bill, which allowed Army players to defer their active military service until after their NFL career.
