Vikings Rookie Is Expected to Make Some Noise
Janik Eckardt
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Of course, after hearing his name called in the first round, the expectations for wide receiver Jordan Addison are the highest among the second rookie class of Vikings’ general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. But besides Addison, the Vikings employ some other rookies who could make some noise early in their careers.
Vikings Rookie Is Expected to Make Some Noise
One of them is undrafted rookie Ivan Pace. The truculent linebacker out of Cincinnati was expected to be selected in April’s draft but he was not one of the 259 players picked. He chose social media to let his frustration be known right after that in rather explicit words.
The Vikings signed the UDFA and received universal praise for it, as he is basically an additional draft pick at a position of need. Minnesota employs Brian Asamoah, a 2022 rookie who is expected to take over for the departed longtime Viking Eric Kendricks but he is still without a single start in the NFL, and veteran Jordan Hicks who has lost a step but the team kept him on a pay cut. Behind the duo of projected starters, the linebacker room consists of Troy Dye and Troy Reeder, two career backups, and William Kwenkeu, an undrafted rookie from 2022.
PFF’s Austin Scott expects Pace to create some buzz in training camp:
A 2023 NFL Draft Twitter darling, Cincinnati Bearcat Ivan Pace Jr. seemed primed to hear his name called in what appeared to be a weaker off-ball linebacker class. Despite his somewhat diminutive stature for the position, he posted an elite 93.0 defensive grade, supplemented by 50 run stops and 46 total pressures, in 2022. Pace consistently made his presence felt as a gap plugger and blitzer, showcasing a great feel for navigating traffic and working off blocks with good change of direction and contact balance.
While Pace lacks coverage instincts and sideline-to-sideline athleticism, there is certainly a role in the Vikings’ linebacker room behind Brian Asamoah, Jordan Hicks and Troy Dye for a physical sparkplug with a nose for the football.
Austin Scott, PFF
The linebacker started his college career playing at Miami (Ohio), where he spent his first three seasons. 2021 was his only full season, and he recorded impressive 125 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble in 13 games. That was good enough to be named first-team All-MAC.
After that season, Pace transferred to Cincinnati, his hometown, where he joined his brother on the team. Once again, the raw numbers were impressive, as he produced 136 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Pace made first-team All-AAC and was a unanimous All-American choice after his fantastic season.
Pace is an outstanding pass rusher and blitzer from the linebacker position. Interstingly, new defensive coordinator Brian Flores likes to be aggressive. He wants to blitz and put pressure on the offense, so Pace is perfect for that. The linebacker mainly fell because of his size. He is only 5’10 1/2″ and 231 pounds. The height is in the one-percentile of players at his position and might limit his ceiling.
However, there’s always a role for a player who is great at one or two things but lacks versatility. It’s on the defensive coaching staff to find that role and give him an opportunity to shine in it.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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