Vikings Re-Sign Young Defender
The Minnesota Vikings cut ties with undrafted free agent Gabriel Murphy earlier this week.
Vikings Re-Sign Young Defender
But the departure didn’t last long.
The Vikings’ primary social media account tweeted Wednesday, “The Vikings have announced the following roster moves: — Signed LS Jake McQuaide to the 53-man roster. — Signed TE Nick Muse to the practice squad. — Waived OLB Gabriel Murphy.”
Two days later, the club tweeted, “The Vikings have signed QB Daniel Jones and OLB Gabriel Murphy to the practice squad.”
Murphy is back.
With Murphy reattached to the roster, these are the team’s EDGE defenders:
- Jonathan Greenard
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Patrick Jones II
- Dallas Turner
- Jihad Ward
- Bo Richter
- Gabriel Murphy (Practice Squad)
- Andre Carter II (Practice Squad)
Vikings fans have high hopes for Murphy, envisioned by some as “this year’s Ivan Pace Jr.,” an undrafted find who might eventually catch on for playing time and shine. But this summer, Murphy battled injuries and even hit injured reserve until last week. Minnesota activated Murphy, and onlookers believed he was all systems go. The recent roster waiver dampened that forecast.
In July, Bleacher Report nominated seven undrafted free agents with “under the radar” statuses, and Murphy got the nod. “Murphy brings an explosive first step and the quickness to work two-way goes effectively. Moreover, Murphy has solid flexibility around the arc and finds ways to keep his legs churning through contact so as to not get run around the back of the pocket,” BR’s Derrik Klassen explained.
“Movement skills like that would be useful anywhere but especially in a Brian Flores defense. The Vikings defense under Flores’ control last year was hectic.”
Murphy’s UDFA deal in the spring clocked in at $245,000 in guaranteed cash, more than Pace Jr.’s paycheck in 2023. It was unlikely that the Vikings would sign Murphy to that deal and release him for good seven months later. Like Pace Jr. in 2023, Murphy was evidently neglected in the draft because of size and perceived strength. General managers believed he was too small for the EDGE spot or not strong enough for sustainability. Still, he was supposed to go off the draftboard sometime in the middle rounds but curiously tumbled into the undrafted pool.
The Vikings’ defense ranks first in the NFL per DVOA and EPA/Play through 11 games, so requiring more depth, like Murphy might provide, isn’t wholly necessary this season.
Murphy may not factor into Minnesota’s 2024 regular season and playoff plans, but he’ll remain an intriguing commodity for 2025 and beyond.
The Vikings Won the Sweepstakes
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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