The Minnesota Vikings wasted absolutely no time filling out the 90-man roster by signing 17 undrafted free agents after the conclusion of the NFL Draft. They managed to do this within a few hours after pick No. 256, which was rather impressive, honestly.
Either way, the Vikings drafted seven players and added 11 in free agency, so that makes 35 new faces vying for jobs over the coming months.
But when specifically talking UDFAs, I thought it would be fun -and interesting- to find one reason why each guy could make the final roster. Obviously, excelling on special teams is key, but in order to keep from being lazy and repetitive, we'll leave that out.
One way each of the Vikings' 17 UDFAs can make the team
- C Matthew Cindric: PFF gave Cindric a 77.3 pass blocking grade and 55.9 run blocking grade in 2023 - it's clear what he needs to do.
- CB Dwight McGlothern: McGlothern has great instincts, so improving his technique will take him as far as he can go.
- DL Tyler Manoa: He's gotta become a better tackler before anything else.
- DL Taki Taimani: Showing off his run-stuffing prowess is Taimani's best way to make the 53.
- EDGE Gabriel Murphy: Murphy was a projected fourth-rounder and has a great pass-rushing skill set - getting better at the top of the arc and improving his tackling discipline will help him break through a crowded EDGE room.
- LB Bo Richter: The former Air Force player needs to show he is a sure-fire tackler since his coverage skills are questionable. That way, he'll have a defined role as a potential base defender.
- LB K.J. Cloyd: The Vikings UDFA linebackers have a pretty common theme, which is run defense, so Cloyd can separate himself by improving his coverage skills.
- LB Donovan Manuel: He tied for the NCAA lead with five forced fumbles in 2023 - making splash plays is Manuel's way to landing on the 53.
- LB Dallas Gant: Proving he can cover at the NFL level is Gant's best bet to make the roster.
- OL Jeremy Flax: Moving to guard is what Flax needs to do.
- OL Doug Nester: Fixing his pad level and balance will help Nester make the final roster.
- OL Spencer Rolland: If he can find a way to anchor down better against opponents, he has a chance to make it.
- OLB Owen Porter: He's not a great athlete, so making hustle plays can help get Porter to the top.
- TE Trey Knox: Improving his run blocking would be the quickest way to make the team. Knox is a former receiver, so the pass-catching skills are already there.
- WR Ty James: Use his size, speed, and athleticism to show off his deep threat in a shallow receiver room (outside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, of course).
- WR Devron Harper: He scored four kick return touchdowns (one kick, three punt), so that's obviously his best shot to make the Vikings roster.
- WR Jeshaun Jones: A willing blocker, Jones can make the roster by proving he's also very capable of blocking in the run game.
All of these guys have a shot at making the final roster, to varying degrees. The underdog stories are one of the more fun parts of the offseason, so it will be fun to track these guys and see where they end up come September.
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